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11/28/22 04:22 PM #1099    

 

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!

 


11/29/22 11:01 AM #1100    

 

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.


11/30/22 05:20 PM #1101    

 

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

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


11/30/22 10:03 PM #1102    

 

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. 


12/01/22 02:49 AM #1103    

 

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!


12/01/22 09:46 AM #1104    

 

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 


12/01/22 02:12 PM #1105    

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


12/01/22 06:19 PM #1106    

 

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.


12/08/22 05:14 PM #1107    

Judy Marmion (Gw '62) (Jones)

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


12/14/22 07:11 PM #1108    

 

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


12/21/22 02:40 AM #1109    

 

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!

 

 

 

 


02/12/23 11:14 PM #1110    

 

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!


02/13/23 03:54 PM #1111    

 

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


04/24/23 07:00 PM #1112    

 

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

 


04/25/23 12:29 PM #1113    

 

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."  

 

 

 


04/26/23 11:25 AM #1114    

 

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.

 


04/26/23 04:19 PM #1115    

 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

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

you both had the chance to get to know Joel! 


05/04/23 05:01 PM #1116    

 

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.


05/05/23 04:59 PM #1117    

 

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. 😊                

 

 


05/06/23 10:52 AM #1118    

 

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.


05/06/23 06:46 PM #1119    

 

Bob Bayliss

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


05/07/23 01:14 AM #1120    

 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

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

Best wishes for his continued Recuperation!

 


05/08/23 07:22 PM #1121    

 

Mike Floyd

Richard Laster

Professor of Environmental Law & Policy

Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Professor Laster taught a unique course this past semester. I am sure many of you would like to see what he does at the Hebrew University.  I know that I found it fascinating. Below is a link to a short promo of the course with English subtitles and a short description of the course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8Y6xz5xHOo

Eilat is located in the Gulf of Aqaba, one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. The coral reefs along Eilat's coast remain relatively pristine and the area is recognized as one of the prime diving locations in the world. 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem               האוניברסיטה העברית בירושלים             

Faculty of Law, Mt. Scopus                              הפקולטה למשפטים, הר הצופים

Jerusalem 91905 Israel                                    ירושלים  91905                                   

 

From the Desk of Richard Laster*

Professor of Environmental Law & Policy                            March 2023

In 2021, I received an email from fourth-year Hebrew University law student Inbar Druyan. I did not know her, nor did I fully realize, at the time, what repercussions were to follow.

Inbar was enamored with Eilat and its environs, especially its coral reserve.  She asked me to teach a course on environmental law—in Eilat, on Eilat. Something that had never been done, and I wasn’t even sure how to go about it. But I never refuse a student initiative, although I knew this was an unusual and expensive proposition for the University.

Money was found and the Faculty of Law and the Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat agreed to host the course. As I wracked my brain for ideas, I recalled my experiences working for Ralph Nader in the late 60s as a “raider,” investigating the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

In our first meeting with Ralph, he explained his “research interview” method. Every day, each “raider” interviewed two FTC employees; we typed up the interviews in eight copies, which were distributed among the team. By the end of three weeks, we knew more about the FTC than its employees. At the end of the summer, each “raider” wrote a chapter for a book, which was published as The Closed Enterprise System (ed. Mark Green). I decided to use the same approach in Eilat. I would convert the students into investigators, investigating Eilat’s claim to be a “green city.”

To do this we needed smart and motivated law students, so we marketed the course. Inbar was relentless. During the summer of 2022, she posted flyers and scheduled a lecture for me to introduce the course to students. There was room for only 19 students in the course. When 34 showed up for the lecture and 54 applied, I knew the chosen cohort would be willing to work hard.

This became evident as we held two full-day lectures before the semester even began. For the “official” opening, we invited the mayor to explain his vision for Eilat. That vision became the basis for the students’ investigations. They chose subjects of environmental concern, such as the legal regime protecting the corals, renewable energy, and Eilat’s planning and building code.

On December 5, 2022, we arrived in Eilat for five days. From 8 am-8 pm, we heard scientific lectures, met with experts on local environmental problems, interviewed the mayor and his staff, and met with some of Eilat’s polluting companies. The site visits solidified the students’ impressions, the lectures helped them better understand scientific data, and free time provided camaraderie and opportunities to exchange data or just loosen up.

On the fourth and fifth days, the students delivered their oral presentations and three weeks later, their written reports. These will be produced as a book and presented to the mayor. The students had fully grasped the challenges while developing tools to improve the city’s environment. I felt an immense sense of pride, seeing their transformation into Israeli “raiders” and know these skills will serve them in their future careers.

The Eilat course is one more step towards establishing a Sustainability and Environmental Justice Clinical Legal Education Center, similar to the existing clinics through which law students advocate for marginalized populations, youth at risk, diversity, and more.

My life’s mission has been creating, teaching, and advocating for environmental law, and I’m thankful and proud to be passing on the torch to Hebrew University students, even if it requires a five-day detour to Eilat.


05/08/23 10:54 PM #1122    

 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Wow, Dickie (or shall I call you "Reuven?") - So you were a "Nader Raider!" What a GREAT Lesson was THAT?   And now you are a Mentor for "The Next Generation!"  Congratulations on your newest achievement! You are  really making an impact in Israel!  Eilat will never be the same now!  It will have "A Support System" for many years in the future!

PS - I wish I knew the people you mentioned, working on the problem of "Youth-at-Risk!"  They have a program here now called "Youth at Hope!"  It was started by a Student at Arizona State University!

 

 

 


05/10/23 05:36 PM #1123    

 

Mike Floyd

Fun luncheon at Padow's today.  Good to see Sidney without the collar and nice seeing Robin Adair and Robert Wilson.  Would like to see them more often.  We enjoyed each other's company so much I don't think anyone took photographs.  Mary Douglas Stanley dropped by and she looks great.  Charles Krumbein stopped in to pick up lunch for his wife.  Russell still isn't willing to age like the rest of us and Melvin is finally in his new home.  No more driving back and forth from Nags Head.  Everyone asked about Dan Grinnan's back surgery and were happy that he is doing so well.

Good food, good friends, good times. 

Hope to see you all at the next get-together.

 


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