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William Anderson

Miss Jo-Ann and Miss Linda, thanks.

"War is Hell"-Said by General Sherman, who still remains pretty unpopular here in Georgia.

Bill

Russell Flammia

Hi folks,

            This morning there is a heart warming story in the Times Dispatch by Bill Lohmann, about a TJ foreign exchange student, Miguel Bremo,  and his host 'Mom' Margo Miller who is Lois Miller Padow's step mother. Although Miguel graduated from TJ in 1968, he and his host 'Mom' have remained in touch for these 50 years.  An interesting footnote, but of signifcant historical interest,  is that Margo & her parents escaped from Germany in 1939. It's a feel good read.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Interesting comments by our own TJ "War Heroes." Thank you for your service, Frank, Bill, and Linda!  I recognized the names of many other classmates which were marked with icons on our Student Profile list;    they served honorably in Vietnam, and perhaps in Iraq and other locations.  I was not on the mailing list for any TJ Reunions until #40, so I "missed out" on saying "Thank you" to many others, but I remember attending Tee Jay with the most honorable students anyone could ask for, and I tell that to my extended family and acquaintances here, all the time!  I remember seeing you on the bus ride home every day, Bill, dressed in your uniform and hat for the ROTC program, and seeing Frank as well, walking down the halls of TJ so straight and  tall! And I should have figured out that Linda Fiske would end up in the Service as a Nurse, because she always had such a professional manner! There are many others in our class who served honorably, and I was lucky to know many of them !!  We have photos in my Baby Book of my Aunties and Uncles in their Uniforms, visiting our house in 1944 when I was born and for many years thereafter, so as far as I was concerned, my Tee Jay classmates were ALL just "extended family!"  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of those who graced the halls of Tee Jay, whatever their career!  All served the U.S.A.in some capacity, and we are very thankful!  Have a wonderful holiday with your families and friends!

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Li

Thank you Marilyn . And a very Happy Thanksgiving to all. With all that is going on in the World, we do have much to be thankful for. 

Linda

Russell Flammia

      Thank you Mike for posting the picture of George H. W. Bush's service dog Sully.  It's a touching example of sensitivity and devotion that dogs demonstrate. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Happy Chanukah to all my Jewish classmates out there, wherever you are!  Have some nice latkes with applesauce on top and I hope your dreidel lands on "Gadol !" - and you win all the pennies (or peanuts or whatever!).  Enjoy!!

Anne Ferrell Smith (Lanier)

Did anyone have a "Miss Stossel" as an English teacher at TJ or Westhampton Jr High School?

I am just seeing in a Longwood alumni magazine that a Elsie Stossel Upchurch gave 4 million dollars to Longwood and that a building has been named in her honor.  I remeber a Miss Stossel but I cannot remeber where I  had her in school.  I am blown away that she was able to do that - It pleases me so!   Does anyone else remember her?      Anne Ferrell Smith Lanier 

Pam Morgan (Nelson)

I can't remember having her at Westhampton or Tee Jay, but maybe I should have been a teacher instead of biology major in college   Great donation!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Yes!  Miss Stossel was our FANTASTIC English Teacher in 7th grade at Westhampton!  She taught Poetry! 

We were expected to memorize 100 lines of poetry  from Joyce Kilmer's  "I Think That I Could  Never See A

Poem Lovely as a Tree" all the way up to "The Wreck of the Hesperus!"  (By some miracle, my two Sisters  & I

ALL surpassed that number !  I think we also  did some creative writing in that class, too!)  She and Miss

Tankard will forever  remain in our hearts as the BEST English Teachers of our lives!  She was tall and slim with

short wavy brown hair, and she was delightful!  She also made  another donation about 10-20 years ago!  She

must  about  85-90 years old by now!   Wonderful lady!   Mary Draney Murray, were you in our  English Class?

Anne Ferrell Smith (Lanier)

marilyn,  I am blow away by your memory!   Good for you!!     and thanks for refreshing mine. . . . I thought I loved her but I could not remember why . . . .  Anne Ferrell 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Anne Ferrell, I think I have a selective memory!  Anyone who makes a positive impression on me sticks in my mind forever!  I tend to "block out" unpleasant memories.  The 9 years we spent at Westhampton School were probably the happiest of my life, and they provided a great foundation for the years that followed!  I discovered a few years ago that I have what is known as "a photo-graphic memory!". I can visualize each classroom  in my mind, and good teachers, too!  That also applies to Tee Jay!  When I found this website about 15 years ago, all kinds of memories began to fill my mind!   The good ones stayed there, like the taste of chocolate candy or vanilla ice cream!  I can smell them, but I can't eat them anymore!  So I just smile and enjoy them that way!  And when I see the faces of my classmates here, I associate good memories  of  them too!   I will always  remember you as "That brainy girl who took Science with the boys, while the rest of us girls took Home Ec!"  Science was "A New Subject in School" in 1957, and Sputnik had not been launched!  You were "ahead of the game!"  I never encountered Science until college (other than Biology), and most  of my college classmates grew up in Chicago (home of Science and Industry). So you could have been my Science Tutor!

PS- How is your house these days?  Is the big tree gone? - and your roof intact?

-Mar--

Belle Landrum

I just wrote a "heart-felt" response to Anne Farrell and Marilyn's notes.  It disappeared when I hit the wrong key.  If you find it, let me know.  I expressed my feelings  about George Bush's funerals.  It was heartening to see the respect, love and decorum displayed.  I knew we would all and have fit right in for we had been raised  the same way they were.  As for our current crop in Washington,  I wish there was a way to instill in them what we were taught along with a dose of Southern manners as well.  Maybe we should send them all to TeeJay for some lessons.  I'd better stop or this note will disappear as the other one did.  I enjoy everyone's writings and hope I won't bore anyone.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

"Respect, decorum, and Southern manners!"  Wow!  I haven't heard those words in a long time!  The further you travel across the country, the less you will see of that!   I never realized  the difference between our upbringing and that of others until I lived in different states.  The value system we learned as kids is hard to find now!  But once in a while, I get lucky and  I meet someone my age or a young person whose parents raised them well, and I feel at home again!   

Russell Flammia

A-men Belle & Marilyn, you ladies are spot on.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Thanks, Russell!  I sent some photos to Mike that you requested a year ago!  Sorry they are so late!  I didn't have your email address, so I sent them to him!  Ask him to forward them to you or to post  them somewhere! (Note: One or two photos are missing!)

Jo-Ann Olkowski

Russell ... you can add mindreader to your list of accomplishments!  I have been thinking those exact words myself in response to Marilyn and Belle's post about decorum, manners, etc. Times were so much different when we were in high school and people were much more civilized and respectful of each other.  It was o.k. for a teenager or grown man to open a car door for a female, to open a door in a department store for a female, and on and on.  Today?  Forget it - a man stands a good chance of being cold-cocked by some hard core feminist who finds the gesture demeaning.

Out here in my little town there are still men, both old and young, who open doors for women.  I love it! It puts a huge smile on my face and I heartily thank them for their courtesy! Ahhhh, for the good old days!!!

Jo-Ann
 

Russell Flammia

      Thank you Jo-Ann, I've gotten a few dirty looks when I've opened doors for some ladies.  I'm glad you have some folks in your town who still appreciate ladies. I think we need more ladies and gentlemen who appreciate each other.  

William Anderson

Well said by both of you.  Here in Crabapple, Georgia things are changing also and not necessarily for the good in terms of manners.  Fortunately both of my sons were raised with respect for ladies and have practiced good manners.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

WHAT? Russell, I am in shock!  I live out here in "The Wild West," and while some very bad male drivers in Phoenix thought NOTHING of smashing into 5 different cars of mine, when I was taking Art Classes at Arizona Western College in Yuma, I was pleasantly surprised when young men (about the same age as those former drivers were years ago) took the time to hold open a door to the Student Center for me!  Wow!  I cannot imagine a woman turning down a polite gesture like that or giving you a dirty look!  That is NOT what the Women's Movement was/ is all about!  (It was about Equal Opportunity in the Job Market!)  I love it when somebody holds the door for me!  Most of the new ones are too heavy for me to open anyway!  Thank you Russell & Bill !  Now, if those manners can  just be taught  to a few folks in Congress, maybe we can get "back to the basics" in male- female relationships!

A friend and I went to see "The Fantastiks" tonight at one of our local high schools. It is an allegory adapted from a French play by Edmond Rostand!  The French are very keen observers of Male-Female Relationships!  I remember reading Moliere's play "Le Misanthrope" and Ibsen's "A Doll's House" in my World Literature class in college--- two opposite points of view!!  Nothing has changed since then, and they were written over a century ago!

Jo-Ann Olkowski

It's a shame that so many of our past things such as manners, respect, etc. have gone the way of the dodo bird. Sure, some things women had to fight hard for such as the right to vote were well worth the fight; however, much of today's gripes are "Shakesperian" - "Much Ado About Nothing."  It seems to me that over time the women's movement has morphed into something else entirely - denegrating housewives while at the same time making unichs out of men.  It seems no one has any respect for anyone or any thing now. I just don't get it.

While I didn't go to college like so many others in our class, whatever happened to aspiring to enter college (earning that priviledge with parental guidance, studying hard, etc.).  I cringe when I hear these "entitled" kids today who can't read, write, or do anything else but demand their rights to a "free" college education. Nothing in life is free - taxpayers are picking up the tab.  I'm sorry - I'm going on a rant!  Russell, I have to give you applause for your continued efforts to give students a good education and life guidance for their future.  I am surprised at the number of people in our class who went on to become teachers and they also have my praise.

All in all, the TJ Class of '62 turned out a "Class Act" of students in a broad spectrum of occupations!

Jo-Ann

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

I am a member of a women’s group that gives out scholarships to women (PEO) and the women are all so appreciative and work hard to acquire the scholarship and work hard once they are in school. Really wonderful to hear their appreciation . I am still trying to remind people that females are also veterans. Loews has parking spots for veterans . Yes , I was told by a man to learn to read as the spot was for vets. I tried to nicely inform him of the fact that I did qualify. 🤗

Russell Flammia

      Hi Linda, thank for setting the guy straight regarding your military service and Thank You for your service. My wife's mother and aunt were both in service during WW II. Her mom was in the Navy & her aunt was in the Army. I wish they were still around so I could find out more about their experiences.    

                    ' Amercia home of the free because of the brave.'

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Russell, I sent some photos to Mike about my 2 Aunties who were recognized by the "Women in Military Museum" in Washington, D.C.  I sent  it long after Veterans' Day, because I was busy taking my online class & did not have enough free time to do it earlier!  One was a Lieutenant & one was a Captain; they were in the WAAC during  World War II. My 2 Uncles also served in the Army during World War II. I sent the photo of one uncle and need to send  the photo of the other one!  Ask Mike to share it with you!  Next year, he can use them on Veteran's Day!

Jo-Ann, the terms are ELL - "English Language Learners" and "Special Education Students with Learning Disabilities."  I remember a young man in our 6th grade class at Westhampton who repeated the class 3 times because he could not read!  He was much older than the rest of the students in our class, and he lived  'way out in the country and had to ride to school every day for about an hour or so!  He was an American Citizen who probably never had a decent education before he arrived at Westhampton.  I spent my entire time as a Student Teacher & Substitute Teacher in Illinois and in Arizona with students who could not  read, write, or spell English well. I also Directed an ESL Program for adults in Illinois for 4 years, and there were about 50 adults who learned to read from 75 adult volunteers that I trained. The program was Free to them, and the books were funded by our township.  Then ESL became a program offered by the Community Colleges and Universities. This has nothing to do with "Entitlement" and Everything to do with opportunity!  Some people are really smart in areas like Science and Math, but have Low Literacy Skills!  ( I am "the other way around!" Math & Science are "over my head," but I do well in Grammar, Writing, Literature, and Foreign Language!)  It has to do with "Right Brain-Left Brain Thinking!". Read Howard Gardner's book: "Frames of Mind." It changed the entire approach to teaching during the 1960's!  (PS - My Mom did not speak English when she entered Kindergarten in Baltimore, Maryland in 1913.  The language spoken in her home was Yiddish, and she could read a Yiddish newspaper fluently, along with her Grandfather. But she was one of the most brilliant scholars I ever met, and her English writing as an adult was impeccable. She also read 6 books per week from the Library and loved to attend plays and movies!  So, kids who are illiterate are not "lazy" or "whiners;" they just need good teachers and educational programs to help them learn!  

Linda, I am sure that the women appreciate the scholarships your group offers!  Is it the AAUW?  My Sister and I and my daughter all donate money to VCU each year for a Book Fund for a Woman Returning to College who lacks the necessary funds for those very expensive textbooks! It  is named after my Mom, who graduated from VCU at age 64, With Honors!

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Thank you Russell . I really believe that there are a lot of women veterans and am glad to hear of your relatives that served. Marilyn am glad you sent the pictures of your female relatives to the Women in the Military Memorial. I have been a member for about 5 years and we are still spreading the word. Thanks for all your help in speeding  the knowledge . A very safe and peaceful holiday to all .

Linda

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Linda, one of my Aunts donated her WAAC uniform to the "Women in Military Museum," and included her photo!  The Museum made a postcard out of her photo and did not give her name. Several years later, my older Sister took my 2nd Aunt to the Memorial, after her Sister had passed away, and she purchased the  postcard  and a book with the photos that resembled my Aunt. I saw them during my final visit with my aunt, and called the Memorial to ask why there was no name on the postcard! "Oh! We didn't know who that was!" was their answer! Sometime later, a man in uniform met me at the photocopy machine, when I tried to copy the two photos side by side, and said to me: "Once someone enrolls in the service, their photo becomes the property of the Armed Forces. They lose their identity!" My aunt is now an ICON for the WAAC !