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Barry Steinberg

AMEN! In my time at the University of Virginia, I was fortunate enough to meet members of th Coles family. Rob Coles, the 4th/5th/6th great grandson looked just like Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson was a genius who actually believed in the equality of humans. 
The people who helped to fashion this great experiment in the beginning are owed the deepest gratitude that I can imagine because I didn't have to long for freedom! Many people died so that we could be free which is worth remembering!
I'm very proud to have attended Thomas Jefferson High School and I remember my years there fondly!

John Boatright

psthanks to all who have wriitten....you'er right about this tower of a man. the ongoing pressure form variuos factions to erace our belief system, and with it respect for the brilent people who gave everything to give us this wonferful experiment that is america, want rip away evety tuchstone that gives meaning to us. it is simply their desire to wipe away the established belife system and replacit with their manufactured story. we cannot let this happen....for all the resasons so welll wriiten by others. it is for us to strenthen the backbone of resistance to this effort. let us use this "renaming" attempt as. a call to intelectual arms agaist erasing of histoty!....ps..please excuse the one hand tyring.

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

As hard as they try, they can't remake history!! Our generation has to speak up before that happens!!

Carlin Hudgins Hanzas 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

This isn't the first time they have tried ro do this!  Just look at the growing list of books that have been banned from school libraries, including  "The Diary of Anne Frank!"  The National Council of Teachers of English told me  years ago: "We don't teach 'The Classics' anymore!  We start with Literature AFTER World War 2!"  Instead of the story of an innocent 12-year-old girl hiding during the Holocaust, they substituted the brutal metaphor in my required college text:  William Goldings "Lord of the Flies" for 12-year-old boys!... Also, the last time I went to the grocery store, they had removed the face of the Black chef from the box of Cream of Wheat, and a few years ago, the updated version of Aunt Jemima, with pearl earrings and a lace collar, disappeared from her Waffle & Pancake Mix.  The freed slaves who sold their recipes to the B & G Company & Quaker Oats did so with the understanding that their descendants would receive commissions from each box sold.  Now that no longer applies, and their identities are unknown to the new generation of kids!... I don't understand the United States anymore.  They also claim that this expression never existed: "Extremism of any form is a vice."  I believe that has occurred because they actually have swung too far right for any of us to tolerate it anymore!

Ed Wooldridge

As a graduate of Tee Jay and UVA, I am very concerned about attempts to erase Thomas Jefferson (and others) from our history.  At UVA, both the student council and student newspaper are now, unbelievably, advocating for the removal of all references to Jefferson--our founder--name and/or likeness from University Grounds.  Recently, I joined The Jefferson Council, a group organized earlier this year to preserve Mr. Jefferson's legacy and fight back against the cancellation of our history.  It's open to all.  The Council has a great website full of good information about Thomas Jefferson, in case you're interested.  We all must remain vigilant against efforts to erase our history.  It's already happening in Richmond; and Thomas Jefferson High School could be a target in the future.

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

Such a lovely poem, Bobby!!  That's exactly what I remember growing up in Richmond those many years ago!!

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Bobby wonderful poem . Really enjoyed reading it and the memories it brought back🐧🤗 And I am very proud to have graduated fromThomas Jefferson High and Mr Jefferson's University. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Bobby Bayliss, I never knew you were a Poet!

Your poem is adorable!

And I also have great memories of my childhood in Richmond!

Anne Ferrell Smith (Lanier)

Oh Bobby!  The poem is wonderful!  it just warms my heart!  You have such a gift - thanks for sharing it with us like this!   Anne Ferrell 

Carolyn (Kay) Grinnan (Drinard)

Bobby, what a wonderful adaptation!
Brought back such great memories!
Didn't realize you are such a poet! 
Thank you for sharing this! 
Dan and Kay Grinnan

Mike Floyd

Bobby, thanks for permitting me to post your poetic work.  As I told you when I first read it, it is truly special as you are special.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for your friendship over the last 60+ years.

Judy Marmion (Gw '62) (Jones)

Thanks, Mike, for posting Bobby's poetic work. It is terrific and very well said. 

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

Even here in Georgia, our Newspaper carried the sad photo of the A.P. Hill monument being taken down. He was buried on the bottom of the statue. His body will be moved to a cemetery in Culpepper where he was from. The City of Richmond paid $1,000 to the Culpepper cemetery. The current family members were not happy! I can't believe what has been done to our beautiful Momument Avenue. What a terrible shame!!

Carlin Hudgins Hanzas

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Sorry this is so late!  I hope all my Jewish Friends from "The Good Old Days"  at Tee Jay are having a Happy Chanukah!  Last night was the Fifth Night!  
 

Christmas will arrive soon!  So the rest of my Wishes go for a Pleasant Holiday for everybody else!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Our Daughter Rachael, our Granddaughter Sammy, & I spent an extended weekend in Puerto Vallarta in early January!  It is a beautiful place to visit!  I have photos to send to Mike & he can share them!

Mike Floyd

This message is being posted for Kathie Fife Katharine Fife Romero.

Mike, and friends, you have been so kind and dedicated to send me all news about our special school companions at Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe. I miss the yearly reunions because in October, I do not get to the US, but you are so kind to advise and to keep me up to date. Diane Cox Basheer brought me up to date on this past fall´s reunion, which she and Page enjoyed. Diane also mentioned enjoying seeing you in the Middlesex area. Enjoy Urbanna, which I love. Spent a lot of summer time there. My dad always kept a boat there, just over the bridge, "Hurley"´s. I still get to Richmond, enjoy a home there -Hathawathy Tower (804 560-9708). I could not sever roots with Richmond. Above all my adult children love RIC. They schooled a year at St Bridget´s and St. Christerpher´s. What can I say? Thank you and take care, enjoy Urbanna, which I love and miss, and thank you for all your dedication to our school companions and news, Kathie

Mike Floyd

I'm posting the below message and link for Dick Laster.  Fun to watch and fun to remember back in the day.

Long but lots of fun! Beatles ruled the 60s followed by Elvis and many one-hit wonders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDWPNgRNdHI

 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

I want to thank all of my Classmates who reached out with their heartfelt condolences on the loss of my Dear Husband, Joel.  It has been a pretty shaky month but we are doing ok now, and Joel is At Peace, at last.         We are all still in shock, but with the help of our two Daughters, my Granddaughter, and  good friends like ALL of you, we take one step forward each day. 

Joel LOVED attending ALL of the Tee Jay 1962 Reunions, and he always told me & our kids that he thought all my Classmates were ""Really Nice People!"  Thank you for helping him feel so much "at home."  

Melvin Katz

Marilyn:

I echo my friend Russell's comments. Surely your loss is felt by all within our class who came to know Joel. I have such fond memories at our reunions in which I was able to converse with Joel. Thinking of you at this very difficult time in your life.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Thanks so much, Russell & Melvin.  It helps to know that

you both had the chance to get to know Joel! 

Mike Floyd

Many of us that attended the Class Luncheon at Padow's in March and saw Dan and Kay Grinnan know that Dan was to undergo back surgery.  I'm glad to report that the surgery and recovery are going well.  I ask Kay how Dan was doing and this is her report.  

I’m happy to report that Dan’s surgery went really well.  He’s beginning the third week of recovery.  He’s able to walk short distances indoors and outdoors with a walker.  PT and OT come twice a week to work on strength, endurance, and posture.  We’re hoping to make it to the river in June. 

Hope all is well your way and hope to see you soon.

Carolyn (Kay) Grinnan (Drinard)

Thank you Mike and Russell for your good wishes!
Dan's s surgeon was Dr. Brian Cameron at VCU. 
Highly recommend him. 😊                

Melvin Katz

Kay and Dan: Let me add my best wishes to you both in Dan's recovery. In today's day and time is so impressive what can be done regarding the surgery and other advancements in medicine. Continued improvement Dan. We are all pulling for you to have the recovery that is well on ts way.

Bob Bayliss

Kay, ask Dan if the surgery will continue to allow him to be TJ's all time best 3 point shooter!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Wow, Kay!  I'm so happy to hear that Dan is doing well!!

Best wishes for his continued Recuperation!