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Mary Draney (Murray)

Russell Flammia

Glad to hear from you Mary, and thanks for the birthday wishes! Stay well!

Jo-Ann Olkowski

I don't get on the class website often enough so I hope I won't be repeating something I've already posted.

I don't remember that we had this particular sport at Tj, but some of you who are sports fans might enjoy this.  My youngest grandson is a star football player at his high school but he is also on the school's wrestling team.     At the state wide wrestling tournament in Chattanoga near the end of February, he was the state champion in the heavyweight division!  At 6 ft. 1 or 2 and 220 pounds, I'd certainly hate to have him coming at me! One of the guys he had to wrestle came up to him before the matches started and said, "You sure don't look like much."  When my grandson nailed him to the mat, he asked, "How am I looking now?" 

He got a lot of publicity in our local paper.  A large picture on the top fold of the front page, additional pictures of him in action in the sports pages and several very good write-ups. This was his second time at the all-state tournament where he was the winner in his weight division last year as well.  

He's truly an all round good student and athlete.  4.0 GPA, and a full ride to a college in Iowa - acadamic, football and wrestling.  Of the many offers from colleges in TN, KY, NC and IA that he visited, he finally signed up for the one in Iowa.  We're all so very proud of him!

Hope all of you are doing well and staying safe. I hope those of you who are still trying to get your vaccines will be able to get them very quickly,  TN has done a great job of getting people vaccinated.  

Jo-Ann

Gwynn McNaught (Henderson)

Enjoyed reading about your grandson, Jo-Ann, and I can well imagine how proud you must feel!  Best wishes to him as he begins his college years!

Jack Hellems

Jo-Ann 

You must be proud of your grand-son. He apppears to be well rounded.( 4.0, State Champion and a scholarship.)

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Well congrats to your grandson . Job well done 🐧🤗

Russell Flammia

Golly Jo-Ann, you really have an outstanding grandson. A 2 time state champion & a 4.0.  I know he brings a smile to your face and heart.--Russell

Belle Landrum

   Dear Jo-Ann,  Thank you for telling us about grandson.  He sounds like a great fellow.  I hope you have a chance to see him play at Iowa.  I know you are proud of him.

Melvin Katz

Jo- Ann: I know the pride you have for all of your granchildren but your comments regarding this particular young man is very warm and thoughtful. In an age where our young people can easily go astray, his GPA, His Athletic achievements and his character are very impressive. Congratulations to you and your family.

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

Hi Jo-Ann!  I'm late to post my kudos to you re. your talented grandson, but want to join the chorus:-). It's SUCH fun to now have grandchildren to dote on, and your grandson sounds like quite a champ!   

Jo-Ann Olkowski

Thank you all for the wonderful responses regarding my grandson.  We are very pround of both my grandsons.  Tyler (the eldest) has served his country proudly both active service and with the VA National GuardMMMy   MM

Russell Flammia

While we are enjoying this special holiday, take some time to remember those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the wonderful freedoms we often take for granted. There is a plaque listing the names of 73 TJ alums who paid the ultimate price during WWII, one in the Korean War, and two in Vietnam. Sadly, I don't think this list is complete.

     There are two Medal of Honor recipients from Tee Jay, Jimmie Monteith in World War II, and Michael Folland in Vietnam. This message is just my humble but inadequate way to express my gratitude for their sacrifices.

Memorial Day--Because Freedom Isn't Freedom

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

Thank you, Russell, for reminding  us of the gratitude we owe to those who gave so much to insure that we can enjoy the lives we enjoy!   I only wish that I had understood the trauma that my own dad endured during WWII.

Melvin Katz

Certainly the "HOLIDAY" is not one for those who have perished in defence of our freedoms. WE collectively should realize that what is referenced today as a "DAY OFF" is not such for thise who made the ultiate sacrifice..

May G-D Bless them who have given their lives that we might be free.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

I have waited for a while after Jo-Ann's story about her "Star Grandson"  to post mine, because I wasn't sure our source of pride would actually occur!  Now that he & she have had their "Moment of Glory" (Congratulations, Jo-Ann!), here is our tale for this week:

Some of you have seen the Videos made by our Granddaughter, Sammy Byrd, for her Journalism Class at Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. If not, Mike posted them on my Profile page on this TJHS1962 Website, and you can watch her Final Assignment, which Summarizes all of them in one presentation, on my Profile Page today!

Last Sunday, Sammy and two of her friends boarded a plane for Jerusalem, Israel, where she will spend the next two months working with the Media, as part of her 2nd Internship for her Journalism Major.

Also traveling with her were two of her friends, who will be Interning at Hadassah Hospital.  One is studying Pre-Med, and one wants to become a Nurse.  She is traveling with a group that provides an apartment and meals for the students, so her only expense was for the plane flight!!

We are very excited about this new opportunity for the next generation to "spread their wings."

"The torch has definitely been passed!"

I personally am praying for their safety during this venture!

PS-I am currently registering for my last two classes at ASU Online. Unfortunately, I cannot find an Internship for myself due to the Pandemic, but it is not required in the Art History Department, due to the fact that many students in our Online Classes live far away and are in the same situation as I. 

If I get lucky, my Granddaughter and I will both graduate in December. If not, she will graduate before me!

What a challenge!

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Hope all of you "out there" are healthy & safe.  We watched the TV Shows on Memorial Day, and we know that none of us would be here today if many brave soldiers had not made it possible for our ancestors and those of many others to escape East Europe before or between World Wars I and II and to make the long trip to the USA & the State of Israel.   

Freedom is a precious gift.  We have been watching all the various Revolutions all over the USA & the rest of the World, and wishing that Freedom was available to everyone!

Mike Floyd

I want to thank everyone for their Birthday wishes.  Our daughter Ann Sterling and son-in-law Paul Ott traveled up from Atlanta to spend the week with us.  We sailed the British Virgin Islands with them over Thanksgiving 2019, and they visited for Christmas that year.  Due to COVID, other zoom meetings, we hadn't seen them since Christmas 2019.  What a wonderful birthday gift.  Thanks again, everyone, for your Birthday wishes.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Russell, it is Soooo Exciting to hear about the Scholarship in your name! What a wonderful Honor to you, for ALL that you have done for Tee Jay!   Congratulations to you!  Your name will now be immortal !!!!

Jack Hellems

Russell,

Congratulations. Its is exciting to read that you now have a scholarship name for you.

Russell Flammia

Thank you Jack, I'm very blessed , lucky, and honored to have something like this happen. I hope you and Ginger are doing well.  Take care.

Mike Floyd

Russell, what an honor and so well deserved.  I'm pleased to see all that you do being recognized in such a special way.

Russell Flammia

Thanks Mike, I'm so blessed to have occasions such as these AND to have my classmates make such kind comments.

Judy Marmion (Gw '62) (Jones)

Congratulations, Russell. That is quite an honor and obviously well deserved. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

I was so sad to hear of Miss Tankard's passing.  She was the most inspiring teacher of my entire life, and because of her, my Sisters and I ALL enjoyed many years of writing, 2 of us as Professional  Journalists.

It is hard to think of her as gone, because we had several  delightful conversations  on the phone, and a wonderful visit with her several years ago at her  home in Hallieford.

But she will remain in my Memory as the first teacher since 3rd grade who allowed me to publish my writing        in a  newspaper, and who encouraged me along the way to continue in that vein, through 2 Universities &        as a Freelance Writer in my young adulthood.

I think, if I ever decide to publish a book, I will put her name in my Dedication!

R.I.P., Miss Tankard!  You have touched the lives of so many people!

--- and left them with so many good memories!

Belle Landrum

Just a note to everyoone.  There was an article on Puritan and Westhampton cleaners last week.  Jane Norwood's son runs Westhampton Cleaners on Libbie Avenue.  It was a very nice writeup on her son with several pictures.  I hope you all had a chance to see it.  "IKudos" to Jane.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Happy Rosh Hashanah to All My Classmates who celebrate this New Year 5781!  It is hard to believe we have been around this long!  Some are overseas in Israel, some in new locations scattered around the U.S.A., some still in Richmond!  I hope you have a Good & Healthy Year ahead!