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Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Those stories are adorable, Mary!  I just remembered  that you have a little brother!  

I don't see how the neighborhood can survive without the A & P!

I remember meeting my mother there after school and we would walk up and down the aisles together, as she 

      chose my favorite foods for dinner. Then we would go to the Westhampton Bakery and she would buy their

      famous  7-layer Chocolate Cake!   (Yummy!)

Years later, when we lived in Chicago and in Arizona, my Mom would still drive to that Bakery  to get the same

       7-layer Chocolate Cake , and she would carry it on the airplane on her lap and give it to us as soon as she

        disembarked  and walked into the waiting room at the airport!

Now, we can't do that anymore!  My mother is gone, and people probably can't take a cake  in a box through 

         the check-through lane at thd airport!  I have never seen a 7-layer Chocolate Cake in a bakery since then,

         but since my middle Sister loved them, I try to order one by catalogue when I can find it and have it sent to

         for her birthday or a Holiday! 

Jo-Ann Olkowski

I finally got on the class website!  Whoever has been running my computer and my cell phone must be asleep at the wheel.  My post on 1/27 must have sounded strange - I've not been able to get access to the class website and wondered why no one was posting anything.  Apparently, I'm the one who has been blocked out! The only posts I could see where done way back in early December and it did not seem right that such an active class would have stopped posting.

Mike, thanks for the post about days gone by.  I think we were a kinder, more caring, better educated and more civilized people back in the day.  We were safe to walk, kidnappings rarely, if ever, happened, teacher molestation of students was unheard of.  I was kept pretty close to home most of the time, but could occasionally walk down Patterson Ave. to Westhampton School in summer - there were all kinds of activities going on. We could leave our homes unlocked, neighbors looked out for each other.  You are right - times were just better.

Marilyn Wolfe Ruben was kind enough to send me pictures of her family and a picture she had of me(!) at a class picnic at Bryan Park.  I don't remember the picnic, but in the picture I was standing all by myself on a bridge in the park.  Marilyn happened to see me and took the picture!  I wish I had known so many of you personally instead of from a distance, and that you had known me better.

Looking back, I think we had a great class and a great school.
 

Bob Bayliss

Regarding the “older than dirt” test, I got 24 of 25 correct. I don’t remember Blackjack bubble gum. I remember Fleers(from baseball cards) and Bazooka. The rest I remember well. I hope temps in Richmond don’t go too low. In Indiana we are at -22, with wind chills at -40. In three days it will climb to 53. I hope all of you are well and happy. The recent passing of friends is certainly unsettling. I feel that we grew up in a special era and are blessed to have each other. I wish I lived closer, but  am especially appreciative of the reunions and other get-togethers that Russell and others make possible. Stay warm, be well, and , God willing, I look forward to catching up again, sooner rather than later....Bobby 

Mary Draney (Murray)

I would also like to  add my condolences to the families who have lost a loved one. And friends are such treasures...so sad for the lost classmates.

Russell Flammia

Hi Bobby,

                Golly we're warm in Richmond compared to the midwest. We too wished you lived closer.  It was shocking to learn of the passing of 3 classmates in one week, Tommy, Jane Sidney, and Carol. Just give us a heads up when you'll be in Richmond.  Give my best to Pat and stay warm.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

So sad to hear today's News Story about the Governor of Virginia, being subjected to a "Smear Campaign!" That kind of stuff goes on all the time, it seems! Dirty politics! I give him credit for standing up to defend himself!

Tom Coons

Howdy from Schertz Texas......Tom Coons here.  Just a thought /question about the Va governor.s situation regarding that class photo.   Whatever happened to  innocent until proven guilty?            we still have a U.S. Constitution....and, for what it's worth, a legal system.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Thank you, Tom Coons!  I have tried to reply to two different comments on this website, and BOTH of my comments have been deleted immediately thereafter, and had to be rewritten, so I will try again, for the third time!  I agree with you completely!  1) The Governor is at least one head taller than the individual shown in the photo, and  2)his physique is completely different, as is 3) the shape of his face.  4) By college age, most men have reached their full adult height; they don't SHRINK!!  5) The Governor was in the Army, doing his rounds as a Doctor, and he wasn't even present on the VMI campus. 6) Similar photos were shared on other pages belonging to the Governor's classmates. 7) The Governor never wore an outfit like that!  8) A responsible  yearbook has a Photo Editor who Supervises the placement of photos for their appropriateness. Obviously, this Annual did NOT have such a person on staff!  9) A man is innocent until  proven guilty.  10) The Governor never saw the Annual until this year, 20 years later!  WHY was this information withheld for so long?   11)Was it "Photoshopped?" 12) Identity Theft, Fraud, and Misrepresentation are Crimes under the Law and require Incarceration and Reparation for Damages!  This is a "Smear  campaign" of huge proportions, and the Governor thinks he knows who did it!  13) This is obviously an attempt to discredit a man who has worked hard to help the people  of his State!  14)  I would like to refer you to "The Dreyfus Case" in France during the previous century, during which he was Falsely Accused and lost his professional image. 15) I hope the Governor's Attorneys find the culprit and lock him up FOR LIFE!!   16). There is some question about how honest our Court System has been recently, so I really hope they don't  "Tar & Feather" him, as some people already HAVE!  If his own  Afro-American  Lieutenant Governor supports him, I think that says a lot!

Tom Coons

Mariyn, you're certainly welcome.  Due process......a winner every time.  The best to you and yours.

Tom Coons

Marilyn  Seems I dropped the"l" off your name..Sorry!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Thanks again, Tom!  This situation has horrified me!  There are too many "scams" out there for me to handle!!      I think Congress needs to write, pass, and implement a Law against "False Documentation!". It was passed in Arizona in 1910, and about a Century later, it was renewed by the Legislature.  Now "Fraudulent Statements or Photos"  CANNOT be made against an individual, without consequences.  Whoever started all this WILL PAY!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

On another note, we will soon be ending our 3 week "vacation" in Florida!  Unfortunately, we only had one or two days of sunshine in January, and it seems the "muggy" weather on the East Coast just kept traveling South to us.  Finally, the sun came out during the past 2 days, and we have been able to attend 2 Art Fairs for the first time since January!   Florida has a HUGE Arts Community, and Artists come here for the Winter from as far North as Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and even Quebec! The Paintings, Photography, and Sculpture are incredibly original!  I never saw designs like these!  I'm in awe of the amount of unusual designs these artists create!  I even met one Artist based in San Diego & one from Las Vegas!  If you ever want to see some mind-boggling Art, come to Florida during the first weekend in February or the last weeks of January!  We are going home with an original sculpture by the Artist from Indiana, and we sent a birthday present to my Grand Niece, which was made by an Artist from New York!

We have been lucky to be able to observe a lot of "action" from our patio, where wild birds from everywhere come to float on the pond behind us or fly in the air! There are at least a dozen different kinds of birds that come here and I have been trying to capture them on film each morning!  One species sits on a metal pipe from the grass to the water, holding out his wings, and enjoying the breeze!  Another one with a wingspan of about 10 feet flies past our patio into the air!-- such an amazing sight!  I never really understood how Bird Watchers could stand still for so long, waiting for birds to appear, but since we have no pressing "duties" here, it has become a daily morning habit!" It is really fascinating to watch all this!  There are no distractions, except for the patio screen, which demands a certain angle for my camera!  Joel has made 3 trips to the Nature Preserve since we arrived, but am more intrigued by the birds than Alligators & Iguanas!   He did, however, photograph some baby birds that had hatched there, who were in the process of being fed by their Mama!!!!  I sent a few of these photos to Mike, and some day, maybe they will appear on the Class Photo Page!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Please Note:  I have noticed on this website that several classmates have come to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Tucson in past years.  If anybody plans a trip to Arizona in the future, please let us know in advance! We are very close to the Phoenix Airport and the hotels in Phoenix and Scottsdale are just a hop and skip away.  We can meet you for dinner either when you arrive or before you depart!  Also, Yuma, "our country home," is just 2-1/2 hours from San Diego, so if you plan to vacation there, give us "a head's up.". We would be happy to see you!

Tom Coons

George Armstrong  Yes D, 60 years ago we became almost as close as natural brothers,   and Yes, you and your then girlfriend took me to the Richmonfd Greyhond station.  From there I went to Wiesbaden, Germany  and began my Air Force career.  Several years ago  we got back together as family.  God bless Faye and you.

Sue Salemme (Antonick)

Dear Friends,  You are so kind to remember me on my birthday - it made turning 75 MUCH easier - you made my day special.  It was so much fun hearing from you through the message formum, emails, cards and calls.  I am, as always, very thankful for your thoughtfulness and friendships through the years.  Also, your sweet messages about Jane Sydney meant a lot, thank you.  Hope today is a wonderful day for each of you and that there will be time together soon to laugh and share. Hugs, Sue 

Mike Floyd

Thanks to Bobby Bayliss for sending me this link.

Mike

This is a trip down memory lane.....

Bobby 

This is such a great video.... So, enjoy it. For those of you who experienced the iconic 1950's, a decade that will never be repeated....The cars are fantastic. The music was so wonderful, romantic, nostalgic, magical.... We were rich and did not know it!  We were innocent and thought we were experienced. We were very fortunate to have lived in such an era. Enjoy the past as revealed here. Who knows what the future will bring?

Click on this link to go to the video. Click Here

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

Thank you for the lovely memories, Bobby.  We really did grow up in a charmed era!

Melvin Katz

Bobby: Thank you for posting the "Memory Lane" tribute. I have seen this before but it never gets old looking back on where we have been. Thank you.

Melvin

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

I really enjoyed the 1950’s video. So many good memories. We were lucky to have lived in that era.  Thanks Bobby.

Mike Floyd

Posted for Melvin Katz.

Mike and Russell: Given Bobby Bayliss's recent forward of the photos and music of our generation, I thought this below is appropriate as well?

Melvin

Melvin J. Katz, Owner/President, Chimney Hill Consulting, LLC., 1353 Hermitage Road, Chimney Hill Farm, Manakin-Sabot, Virginia 23103, H. 804-784-4550, Cell. 804-339-7830, F. 804-784-2853

Although Don McClean only released the song in 1971, for those of us who grew up in the 50’s and 60’s this is a great piece with  some very poignant moments in the history of those times.  And for those of you who did not, it’s a taste of what you missed!  I knew that  "American Pie"  was the name of the plane in which Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed when it  crashed in 1958 – and I knew the chorus about music dying on that day.  I have listened to American Pie for many years and I thought I understood what was being sung but now realize that I didn’t!

However, when the words are put together with pictures and film clips the song takes on a new meaning.  It took a lot of thought  to produce this and it brings back lots of memories and also makes the lyrics really come alive! 
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?  v=VhX3b1h7GQw&feature=youtu.b

Mike Floyd

Most of us were Freshman when this group was Seniors.  Check out the Class of 1959.

https://www.classcreator.com/Richmond-Virginia-Thomas-Jefferson-1959/Whats-New.htm

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

WOW Melvin, thanks for this treasure!  Love it:-). 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Mike!  1959 was my Cousin's Senior Class!  I will have to ask him if he wants to go to the Reunion! 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Melvin, your post from U-Tube had me in tears!  I have the record and it is so true, but I didn't know "American Pie" was the name of the plane that crashed & took away our 3 singers! So many memories!  I was once asked by someone a few years younger than I was what I thought of Bob Dylan, and I replied, "His songs are great, but he can't sing! Better to give the lyrics and tunes to Peter, Paul, and Mary!" (So the video confirmed that for me & proved I was not alone!) He didn't understand me, because he was from "The Next Generation" after ours, and they made him into an "Idol."  The same goes for Mick Jagger!  At the Rock 'n' Roll Museum in  Cleveland, Ohio, we saw the exhibits for Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, etc. FIRST, then Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, then the Beatles!  I kept looking for the Rock 'n' Roll Era and found it almost LAST: all the singing groups squashed into one little room!  When we finally reached the end of the Exhibit and saw all of the "Jazz Era Greats," it dawned on me that we had turned right at the entrance instead of left, and we had gone through the entire presentation BACKWARDS!  Proof: Jazz & Rock and Roll came first!  All the rest was just "imitation!"  PS - Someone I met here asked me, " What did you do when you were a teenager?  Sit around all day and smoke weed?"   He is about age 50.  "No!  I replied. "That was YOUR generation!  We DANCED!" (Enough said!)

Thanks for the semi-sweet memories!  Even though she sang years later, I miss Janis Joplin's rendition of "Me & Bobby McGee!"  The words really get to me!  I am writing a book about the past 25 out  of 30 years in Arizona, and I named my lead character "Bobby!"  That's not his real name, but it matches the song well.  I can't include the lyrics to the song due to Copyright Laws, but the emotional tug I get when I hear that song is just like the one from "American Pie!"  While she was studying American History in High School, my Granddaughter asked me: "Why did people cry when President Kennedy died?"  I replied, "It was the end of an era!"   How do we explain all this to kids in the next generation?  The violence, the politics, the confused young adults?  "It's all in the music!"

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Question for my classmates:  Has anybody (besides ONE classmate I asked months ago) had Cataract Surgery?  Please share if so, or use the private Messages on this website to do so.  I am "the next in line" 

in this family!