Connie Poffenbarger Thorsen
Carbondale CO
I had the privilege of having flown around the world from 1968 - 1990 as a flight attendant for National Airlines and then Pan American World Airways until retirement. Miami was my base for all of those years and it's where I met my husband, John. We've been blessed with 33 years of marital bliss and, no, he wasn't a pilot! We've been living in Colorado right outside of Aspen for 15 years now in a gated golf community, Aspen Glen. If you love the outdoors as we do, there's nothing better than our majestic mountains despite the snow. Mother nature at its best! I will be unable to attend the reunion. Thanks for all of your hard work putting it together.
Carbondale CO
I had the privilege of having flown around the world from 1968 - 1990 as a flight attendant for National Airlines and then Pan American World Airways until retirement. Miami was my base for all of those years and it's where I met my husband, John. We've been blessed with 33 years of marital bliss and, no, he wasn't a pilot! We've been living in Colorado right outside of Aspen for 15 years now in a gated golf community, Aspen Glen. If you love the outdoors as we do, there's nothing better than our majestic mountains despite the snow. Mother nature at its best! I will be unable to attend the reunion. Thanks for all of your hard work putting it together.
Neil Poliakoff
Rancho Cucamonga, California
neilthewheel@verizon.net
I studied electronics technology at CPCC, and after graduating in 1967 I moved to Atlanta, Ga. to work for Scientific Atlanta. In 1968 in went into the army, and served in Germany, Viet Nam, and South Korea. In 1971 I moved back to Atlanta, and returned to work at Scientific Atlanta. In 1980 I started working for Nortel Networks, and in 1981 they transferred me to Southern California. I retired in 2003, and started playing keyboard in a Roy Orbison Tribute Band. A year later I started my own band, and play almost every weekend. My website is: theskylinexpressband.com, and our music is on You Tube: type in The Skyline Xpress Band. I would have liked to have played music as a profession, but I had enough sense to get a real job. I was familiar with the old joke: What do you call a musician without a girlfriend? The answer: Homeless!
Rancho Cucamonga, California
neilthewheel@verizon.net
I studied electronics technology at CPCC, and after graduating in 1967 I moved to Atlanta, Ga. to work for Scientific Atlanta. In 1968 in went into the army, and served in Germany, Viet Nam, and South Korea. In 1971 I moved back to Atlanta, and returned to work at Scientific Atlanta. In 1980 I started working for Nortel Networks, and in 1981 they transferred me to Southern California. I retired in 2003, and started playing keyboard in a Roy Orbison Tribute Band. A year later I started my own band, and play almost every weekend. My website is: theskylinexpressband.com, and our music is on You Tube: type in The Skyline Xpress Band. I would have liked to have played music as a profession, but I had enough sense to get a real job. I was familiar with the old joke: What do you call a musician without a girlfriend? The answer: Homeless!
Toy Poole
Austin, TX
Brief History of Marian and Toy Poole (1964 - 2014)
Marian and I won't be able to attend the reunion, so I wanted to send along a brief sketch of our life since 1964 for those who remember and might be interested. As some know, Marian Dotson and I first started dating in the fall of the 11th grade. We met in Ms. Brosius' plane geometry class. Wasn't particularly good for geometry, but good for everything else!
We got married in 1967 and both graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1968. Marian got a job in the UNC library and I started graduate school in biochemistry. Somewhere in that period I shed my nickname (Buddy) and started using my real name (Toy). Now most everyone I meet at first thinks Toy is a nickname - hard to escape!
I got drafted into the US Army 1969-71 (NC, TX and CO). Following that we moved to Charleston, SC where I got into a biochemistry graduate program at the Medical Univ. of SC. The great natural beauty of the area revived my childhood interest in field biology, which led us to Clemson for a MS and U. Indiana for a PhD. Marian worked in the library at Clemson and then IU.
Kids came along (2 boys, 1977 and 1982). This wasn't a particularly good time for job hunting in my degree subject, so I took a job doing chemistry with the Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, MS. Didn't plan to stay long, but next thing we knew the kids were grown and it was 30 years later. Hardly seemed any time.
I retired in 2010 and we moved to Austin, TX where the kids (and now the grandkids) live and work. We like here.
So that's a rough outline. Lots of details left out of course, but that would take quite a bit longer to cover. Sorry to miss the 50 year reunion, but we did enjoy the information Ron Linker et al. put together on classmates found, remembering people and events, etc. We were sad to learn about those that had passed on. Have fun at the get together.
Marian and Toy Poole
Austin, TX
Brief History of Marian and Toy Poole (1964 - 2014)
Marian and I won't be able to attend the reunion, so I wanted to send along a brief sketch of our life since 1964 for those who remember and might be interested. As some know, Marian Dotson and I first started dating in the fall of the 11th grade. We met in Ms. Brosius' plane geometry class. Wasn't particularly good for geometry, but good for everything else!
We got married in 1967 and both graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1968. Marian got a job in the UNC library and I started graduate school in biochemistry. Somewhere in that period I shed my nickname (Buddy) and started using my real name (Toy). Now most everyone I meet at first thinks Toy is a nickname - hard to escape!
I got drafted into the US Army 1969-71 (NC, TX and CO). Following that we moved to Charleston, SC where I got into a biochemistry graduate program at the Medical Univ. of SC. The great natural beauty of the area revived my childhood interest in field biology, which led us to Clemson for a MS and U. Indiana for a PhD. Marian worked in the library at Clemson and then IU.
Kids came along (2 boys, 1977 and 1982). This wasn't a particularly good time for job hunting in my degree subject, so I took a job doing chemistry with the Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, MS. Didn't plan to stay long, but next thing we knew the kids were grown and it was 30 years later. Hardly seemed any time.
I retired in 2010 and we moved to Austin, TX where the kids (and now the grandkids) live and work. We like here.
So that's a rough outline. Lots of details left out of course, but that would take quite a bit longer to cover. Sorry to miss the 50 year reunion, but we did enjoy the information Ron Linker et al. put together on classmates found, remembering people and events, etc. We were sad to learn about those that had passed on. Have fun at the get together.
Marian and Toy Poole
Logan Vincent Pratt, Jr.
Charlotte NC
lvpratt@gmail.com
Went to NCSU to study Architecture but ended up a Civil Engineer. Then to UNC for MBA. Then to USARMY Engineer Office Basic at Ft Belvoir. By the time I was ready for an assignment the Army did not have enough jobs for all the 2nd Lts in the pipe line so I was discharged to the reserves. Worked 43 years in the domestic and international construction and engineering field. Traveled to many countries meeting my wife in Tabuk Saudi Arabia in 1976, living in Mexico City in 1980 and San Salvador, El Salvador in 1989. However, most of my years were spent in Charlotte and all three of my children are graduates of MPHS. Michael is an electrical hardware engineer working in the aerospace industry in Denver. Marirose is an attorney for EPA in Atlanta and is the proud mom of granddaughter Eliska. Elizabeth is a Berkley graduate in City and Regional Planning and works for a non-profit managing San Francisco’s Sunday Streets program.
Last year was a transition year as I retired from full time employment and my marriage of 37 years dissolved. So far I have been enjoying the freedom to do what I want when I want without the time constraints imposed by regular employment. Most importantly I have been visiting new granddaughter Eliska and her parents in Atlanta. But I have also taken advantage of the opportunity to spend more time outdoors.
In February I went to El Salvadore with Habitat to build houses for a week. At the end of June I returned from six weeks in Spain, France and Portugal spent mostly walking the Camino de Santiago from St Jean de Pied de Port, France to Cabo de Fisterra, Spain on the Atlantic Ocean. About 550 miles in 35 days.
I have been section hiking the Appalachian Trail a week or so each summer for years and was in Maine the first two weeks of August completing my final section hike of approximately 200 miles. I reached the summit of Mt Katahdin in windy, cloudy weather on the morning of August 13th this year. The end of a 20 year 2,165 mile adventure. If there are others who enjoy walking, hiking and backpacking, let me know. Perhaps we can get together.
Photos -- see photo album (all from this year) are from a Habitat build trip to El Salvador in February; Kilometer “0” – the end of the Camino at the lighthouse at Cabo de Fisterre, Spain; and at the summit of Mt. Katahdin, Main.
Charlotte NC
lvpratt@gmail.com
Went to NCSU to study Architecture but ended up a Civil Engineer. Then to UNC for MBA. Then to USARMY Engineer Office Basic at Ft Belvoir. By the time I was ready for an assignment the Army did not have enough jobs for all the 2nd Lts in the pipe line so I was discharged to the reserves. Worked 43 years in the domestic and international construction and engineering field. Traveled to many countries meeting my wife in Tabuk Saudi Arabia in 1976, living in Mexico City in 1980 and San Salvador, El Salvador in 1989. However, most of my years were spent in Charlotte and all three of my children are graduates of MPHS. Michael is an electrical hardware engineer working in the aerospace industry in Denver. Marirose is an attorney for EPA in Atlanta and is the proud mom of granddaughter Eliska. Elizabeth is a Berkley graduate in City and Regional Planning and works for a non-profit managing San Francisco’s Sunday Streets program.
Last year was a transition year as I retired from full time employment and my marriage of 37 years dissolved. So far I have been enjoying the freedom to do what I want when I want without the time constraints imposed by regular employment. Most importantly I have been visiting new granddaughter Eliska and her parents in Atlanta. But I have also taken advantage of the opportunity to spend more time outdoors.
In February I went to El Salvadore with Habitat to build houses for a week. At the end of June I returned from six weeks in Spain, France and Portugal spent mostly walking the Camino de Santiago from St Jean de Pied de Port, France to Cabo de Fisterra, Spain on the Atlantic Ocean. About 550 miles in 35 days.
I have been section hiking the Appalachian Trail a week or so each summer for years and was in Maine the first two weeks of August completing my final section hike of approximately 200 miles. I reached the summit of Mt Katahdin in windy, cloudy weather on the morning of August 13th this year. The end of a 20 year 2,165 mile adventure. If there are others who enjoy walking, hiking and backpacking, let me know. Perhaps we can get together.
Photos -- see photo album (all from this year) are from a Habitat build trip to El Salvador in February; Kilometer “0” – the end of the Camino at the lighthouse at Cabo de Fisterre, Spain; and at the summit of Mt. Katahdin, Main.
Frances Purvis Ellett
Columbia, SC
ellett1@msn.com
I went to the University of South Carolina and married fellow USC graduate Bill Ellett who is a self employed industrial textile sales agent. We have three children and five grandsons. With the grandsons and USC close by, we go to LOTS of sporting events. We also enjoy traveling both for business and pleasure
Columbia, SC
ellett1@msn.com
I went to the University of South Carolina and married fellow USC graduate Bill Ellett who is a self employed industrial textile sales agent. We have three children and five grandsons. With the grandsons and USC close by, we go to LOTS of sporting events. We also enjoy traveling both for business and pleasure
Cary Raditz
Silver Spring, MD
craditz@gmail.com
1964-69. UNC Chapel Hill,’68, Beta Theta Pi, w MPHS Bart Mauldin, Rick Inderfurth, Bill Bolin (’63) & Frank Bird (’62). Principal, Other Ear Galleries, Chapel Hill. Move to Berkeley, CA, paint houses, awakening Zen Satori/Dark Night--take vows of poverty. Greece: Open Matalla Leather Shop, Crete.
1970-79. Busy decade. Laurel Canyon, Hollywood: groupie. Midlands, England. Migrant worker--pick hops, work on dairy farms. San Francisco: Study yoga, carpenter, security for Calif Renaissance Faire. A daughter is born!--Kyyio Cecil-Raditz, 1973, Point Reyes Station, CA. Peace Corps Mauritania: Install irrigation systems. Peace Corps Senegal: Design vocational training center. Move to Paris. Theatre. Move to Wash DC: MA Development Banking, Amer University. West Africa consult in water & soil conservation.
1980-89. Renounce vows of poverty. Lusaka: Design Zambian Ag Development Bank. New York: Chemical Bank NY, 277 Park Ave, taking over Bart’s job as International Banker (Middle East Africa Div). Manage microfinance institution, Kaolack, Senegal. Retire to Isle of Goree, Dakar. A wife is wed!--Ann Emily Claxton, Shady Grove MD, May 1989. Retire from retirement. Various consulting in banking, Africa.
1990-99. A daughter is born!--Vanessa Lacy Raditz, Potomac MD, May 1990. Various consulting, all over. A son is born!--Wilson Miles Raditz, Shady Grove, May 1992. Bamenda, Cameroon: Privatize the Arabica coffee industry. Maryland: Incorporate EMRG INC. Buy Crest Park Court. Awarded CFA Charter, 1997. Wash DC: Founded Specialty Finance Practice at KPMG’s Barents Group. Study Anusara Yoga.
2000-09. Retake vows of poverty and service. Charlottesville: Grader CFA Exams. Move to Kenya. Wife, Ann, manages HIV/AIDS in E Africa region for World Vision. A granddaughter is born of Kyyio!--Ember Cecil Sadin, Sausalito, 2006. Nairobi: Founded/Treasurer CFA Society East Africa. Board trustee and treasurer, International School of Kenya. Teach Anusara style yoga. Take up Vipassana meditation. Begin treating hepatitis C, Johns Hopkins Univ Hospital, Baltimore.
2010-2014. Appointed to CFA Inst DRC committee. Move back to US. Ann manages WV relationship w The Global Fund. Co-founder/Treasurer, nonprofit “Trees for the Planet.” Vanessa graduates w honors, Neuroscience, Smith College; begins MPH, UC Berkeley. Willy graduates in Fire Protection Engineering, UMD. Moves to Auckland, NZ, to begin professional career. Join Mycological Assoc of Washington: collect and study edible fungi. Cured of HCV, Johns Hopkins. Resume vows of poverty. Meditation retreats at IMS. Mushroom hunting & fungi cuisine.
Silver Spring, MD
craditz@gmail.com
1964-69. UNC Chapel Hill,’68, Beta Theta Pi, w MPHS Bart Mauldin, Rick Inderfurth, Bill Bolin (’63) & Frank Bird (’62). Principal, Other Ear Galleries, Chapel Hill. Move to Berkeley, CA, paint houses, awakening Zen Satori/Dark Night--take vows of poverty. Greece: Open Matalla Leather Shop, Crete.
1970-79. Busy decade. Laurel Canyon, Hollywood: groupie. Midlands, England. Migrant worker--pick hops, work on dairy farms. San Francisco: Study yoga, carpenter, security for Calif Renaissance Faire. A daughter is born!--Kyyio Cecil-Raditz, 1973, Point Reyes Station, CA. Peace Corps Mauritania: Install irrigation systems. Peace Corps Senegal: Design vocational training center. Move to Paris. Theatre. Move to Wash DC: MA Development Banking, Amer University. West Africa consult in water & soil conservation.
1980-89. Renounce vows of poverty. Lusaka: Design Zambian Ag Development Bank. New York: Chemical Bank NY, 277 Park Ave, taking over Bart’s job as International Banker (Middle East Africa Div). Manage microfinance institution, Kaolack, Senegal. Retire to Isle of Goree, Dakar. A wife is wed!--Ann Emily Claxton, Shady Grove MD, May 1989. Retire from retirement. Various consulting in banking, Africa.
1990-99. A daughter is born!--Vanessa Lacy Raditz, Potomac MD, May 1990. Various consulting, all over. A son is born!--Wilson Miles Raditz, Shady Grove, May 1992. Bamenda, Cameroon: Privatize the Arabica coffee industry. Maryland: Incorporate EMRG INC. Buy Crest Park Court. Awarded CFA Charter, 1997. Wash DC: Founded Specialty Finance Practice at KPMG’s Barents Group. Study Anusara Yoga.
2000-09. Retake vows of poverty and service. Charlottesville: Grader CFA Exams. Move to Kenya. Wife, Ann, manages HIV/AIDS in E Africa region for World Vision. A granddaughter is born of Kyyio!--Ember Cecil Sadin, Sausalito, 2006. Nairobi: Founded/Treasurer CFA Society East Africa. Board trustee and treasurer, International School of Kenya. Teach Anusara style yoga. Take up Vipassana meditation. Begin treating hepatitis C, Johns Hopkins Univ Hospital, Baltimore.
2010-2014. Appointed to CFA Inst DRC committee. Move back to US. Ann manages WV relationship w The Global Fund. Co-founder/Treasurer, nonprofit “Trees for the Planet.” Vanessa graduates w honors, Neuroscience, Smith College; begins MPH, UC Berkeley. Willy graduates in Fire Protection Engineering, UMD. Moves to Auckland, NZ, to begin professional career. Join Mycological Assoc of Washington: collect and study edible fungi. Cured of HCV, Johns Hopkins. Resume vows of poverty. Meditation retreats at IMS. Mushroom hunting & fungi cuisine.
Thomas Sanford Reece, Sr.
Indian Trail, NC
tomreece@aol.com
Highlights:
Indian Trail, NC
tomreece@aol.com
Highlights:
- 1962 – 1992 – Genesco (Tate Brown’s, Johnston & Murphy) Retired
- 1992 – 2000 – Southern Evangelical Seminary
- (Worked as business consultant)
- 2001 – 2007 – Executive Director at National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families
- 2007 – Present – Retired
- Married twice – widowed twice – one son by each (5 grandchildren)
- 1946 – 1973 – Lutheran (LCA)
- 1973 – 2000 – Presbyterian (PCA)
- 2000 – present – Southern Baptist
- 1964 – 1966 - Florida Southern College
- 1967 – 1975 - UNCC
- 1992 – 2000 – Southern Evangelical Seminary
- 1964 – Present – Conservative Republican
- 1992 – Present – Precinct Chairman, Party Activist Union County GOP
Sara Richards Cooper
Charleston, South Carolina
Coopersara01@gmail.com
After graduation I went to Winthrop College and studied art and design. I married Tom Blankenship in 1967 and received a PHT from Wofford College (Putting Hubby Through). Tom and I had two children Ashley and Russ. We moved to Myrtle Beach in 1971. I used to say that if you sat on the beach you would eventually see all your old friends walk by. After Tom's death in 1983 I continued to work as a project manager for a developer in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Hilton Head. I married Ed Cooper in 1989 and now have another daughter (step). We also have four grandchildren. We lived in Charlotte for fifteen years as well as Beaufort S.C. and now have returned to Charleston to be close to all Citadel events (where Ed graduated ). Ed continues to build medical buildings and hospitals and I own a small shop on Daniel Island. I also continue to paint, mostly pet portraits. Wishing all Mustangs good health and happiness! So good to read about each of you.
Charleston, South Carolina
Coopersara01@gmail.com
After graduation I went to Winthrop College and studied art and design. I married Tom Blankenship in 1967 and received a PHT from Wofford College (Putting Hubby Through). Tom and I had two children Ashley and Russ. We moved to Myrtle Beach in 1971. I used to say that if you sat on the beach you would eventually see all your old friends walk by. After Tom's death in 1983 I continued to work as a project manager for a developer in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Hilton Head. I married Ed Cooper in 1989 and now have another daughter (step). We also have four grandchildren. We lived in Charlotte for fifteen years as well as Beaufort S.C. and now have returned to Charleston to be close to all Citadel events (where Ed graduated ). Ed continues to build medical buildings and hospitals and I own a small shop on Daniel Island. I also continue to paint, mostly pet portraits. Wishing all Mustangs good health and happiness! So good to read about each of you.
John Robbins
Chester, SC
jjrobbins@truvista.net
U.S. Army service included duties at Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and in Vietnam. Spent most of career in security / law enforcement, including the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Was the first School Resource Officer at Myers Park High School. Two daughters. Retired from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools as of January 1, 2014 to enjoy life in the country; i.e. Chester County, South Carolina, with wife of twenty years (Jane) plus three dogs, three cats and the occasional wild turkey.
Chester, SC
jjrobbins@truvista.net
U.S. Army service included duties at Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and in Vietnam. Spent most of career in security / law enforcement, including the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Was the first School Resource Officer at Myers Park High School. Two daughters. Retired from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools as of January 1, 2014 to enjoy life in the country; i.e. Chester County, South Carolina, with wife of twenty years (Jane) plus three dogs, three cats and the occasional wild turkey.
Roland Robinson
Charlotte NC
Wow! 50 years. Hard to believe. Graduated UNC-CH '68. Started work with NCNB in Charlotte. 1971 met Chylene who had come to work at NCNB. Met, dated, got engaged, and married in six months. Celebrated our 43rd in August. Christina our lovely daughter born 10-13-84. Just celebrated her 30th (makes me feel old). Left NCNB in 1985 to work for Barclays. 1995 moved to Atlanta. Returned to Charlotte in 1998. Retired and enjoying golf, traveling, and the good life. Thanks to the committee members for their hard work and effort. Look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.
Charlotte NC
Wow! 50 years. Hard to believe. Graduated UNC-CH '68. Started work with NCNB in Charlotte. 1971 met Chylene who had come to work at NCNB. Met, dated, got engaged, and married in six months. Celebrated our 43rd in August. Christina our lovely daughter born 10-13-84. Just celebrated her 30th (makes me feel old). Left NCNB in 1985 to work for Barclays. 1995 moved to Atlanta. Returned to Charlotte in 1998. Retired and enjoying golf, traveling, and the good life. Thanks to the committee members for their hard work and effort. Look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.
Sam Ryburn
Charlotte NC
wineaux1@bellsouth.net
Mostly retired. I now work two half days at a wine shop: the only job where drinking on the job is part of the job requirement.
Sommelier Sam
Charlotte NC
wineaux1@bellsouth.net
Mostly retired. I now work two half days at a wine shop: the only job where drinking on the job is part of the job requirement.
Sommelier Sam
Jamieson Scott
Wilmington NC
jamie.scott.writer@gmail.com
While I only attended MPHS during our sophomore year, I am still thrilled to be planning to attend the Class of 1964 reunion. (I finished high school in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.)
Here are some life events from the last 50 years (which went by in a heartbeat):
Attended Wright Junior College (now Wright University) and Roosevelt University in Chicago and School of Visual Arts in NYC.
Married William Emanuel Tager from Gastonia and then Winston Luther Ezzell from Concord.
One child, Jefferson Robert Packer, currently of Salt Lake City, father of grandson Theo, age 12, and Mary, due this July.
Moved to New York City in 1980 and, thanks to the kindness of strangers, a modicum of talent, and good timing, I had a successful and varied career in advertising (think Peggy from Mad Men, more or less).
Also enjoyed facilitating a “Stay Off Smoking (SOS)” support group for the American Cancer Society, dancing salsa all over NYC, participating in Manhattan Birth Parents Support Group, studying Nonviolent Communication (www.cnvc.org), volunteering at the NY Society for Ethical Culture, years of participation in Utne Reader Neighborhood Salons, hosting a fiction writers’ group for 13+ years, participating in “Street Giraffe,” an NVC telepractice group, volunteering for the Food Bank, and participating in and presenting workshops at the American Adoption Congress.
Moved (August 2013) to Wilmington, NC, where I’m doing Silver Sneakers, Meetup.com, writing workshops, beach walks, and thinking I should learn the shag before October.
Final thought: gratitude for the great education I received at Myers Park Elementary, Sedgefield Junior High School, and Myers Park High School. Thinking I’m part of a group of talented, accomplished, fascinating people and looking forward to seeing them in person this fall.
Wilmington NC
jamie.scott.writer@gmail.com
While I only attended MPHS during our sophomore year, I am still thrilled to be planning to attend the Class of 1964 reunion. (I finished high school in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.)
Here are some life events from the last 50 years (which went by in a heartbeat):
Attended Wright Junior College (now Wright University) and Roosevelt University in Chicago and School of Visual Arts in NYC.
Married William Emanuel Tager from Gastonia and then Winston Luther Ezzell from Concord.
One child, Jefferson Robert Packer, currently of Salt Lake City, father of grandson Theo, age 12, and Mary, due this July.
Moved to New York City in 1980 and, thanks to the kindness of strangers, a modicum of talent, and good timing, I had a successful and varied career in advertising (think Peggy from Mad Men, more or less).
Also enjoyed facilitating a “Stay Off Smoking (SOS)” support group for the American Cancer Society, dancing salsa all over NYC, participating in Manhattan Birth Parents Support Group, studying Nonviolent Communication (www.cnvc.org), volunteering at the NY Society for Ethical Culture, years of participation in Utne Reader Neighborhood Salons, hosting a fiction writers’ group for 13+ years, participating in “Street Giraffe,” an NVC telepractice group, volunteering for the Food Bank, and participating in and presenting workshops at the American Adoption Congress.
Moved (August 2013) to Wilmington, NC, where I’m doing Silver Sneakers, Meetup.com, writing workshops, beach walks, and thinking I should learn the shag before October.
Final thought: gratitude for the great education I received at Myers Park Elementary, Sedgefield Junior High School, and Myers Park High School. Thinking I’m part of a group of talented, accomplished, fascinating people and looking forward to seeing them in person this fall.
Tom Sehorn
Waxhaw, NC
tsehorn@carolina.rr.com
I remember some of high school, but not much…aka “The Fog” or “Froggie”. I do remember sitting on the bench and watching Randy Sills throw his special pass behind his head, which would hit Cline in the head. And the MP game at South Meck, when Hartman had to put me in the game. Estes and Inderfuth were chanting, “We want Sehorn! We want Sehorn!” I got in with 4 minutes to go, I got 4 points and 4 fouls. The chant became, “Foul out Sehorn! Foul out Sehorn!”…If I had only one more minute. I messed up George Powell’s knee that game. He thanks me to this day; that bad knee got him out of the Army. You’re welcome, George.
After Lees McRae Jr College, I entered the US Army. I spent 2 1/2 years in Germany at the US Army HQ Europe in Heidelberg. I give honorable thanks all our classmates that served in Vietnam. I’ll polish their boots any day. God bless them.
Upon my return to NC, I working at First Union with Bob Worley. We were responsible for balancing your checking accounts on 2nd & 3rd shifts…scary ain’t it. And you wondered why you couldn’t balance.
I have been married to Kay for 38 years, and she for what seems like100, bless her heart. Our first daughter, Shelley, is an OT at the UNC Hospital in God’s county. Our second married daughter, Ashley, is an Interior Designer with an architectural firm in Charlotte.
I have been in the life insurance business since 1975. Designations: CLU, ChFC, CFP, ABC, XYZ, SOB, LOL
I have spent the last 7 years in and out of NC state maximum security prisons, in Alexander, Burke, and McDowell Counties with Kairos Prison Ministries, building Christian communities on the Other side of the wall. Please call me, if you have any interest…704-301-4027. Kairosnc.org
God has been good to me on my journey. I pray that the Lord will go with you on yours.
May He go ahead of you to show the way. May He go behind you to encourage you. May He go beside you to be your friend. May He go above you to protect you. And may He go in your heart to give you Peace. Amen
God Loves You and So Do I
Tom Sehorn
Waxhaw, NC
tsehorn@carolina.rr.com
I remember some of high school, but not much…aka “The Fog” or “Froggie”. I do remember sitting on the bench and watching Randy Sills throw his special pass behind his head, which would hit Cline in the head. And the MP game at South Meck, when Hartman had to put me in the game. Estes and Inderfuth were chanting, “We want Sehorn! We want Sehorn!” I got in with 4 minutes to go, I got 4 points and 4 fouls. The chant became, “Foul out Sehorn! Foul out Sehorn!”…If I had only one more minute. I messed up George Powell’s knee that game. He thanks me to this day; that bad knee got him out of the Army. You’re welcome, George.
After Lees McRae Jr College, I entered the US Army. I spent 2 1/2 years in Germany at the US Army HQ Europe in Heidelberg. I give honorable thanks all our classmates that served in Vietnam. I’ll polish their boots any day. God bless them.
Upon my return to NC, I working at First Union with Bob Worley. We were responsible for balancing your checking accounts on 2nd & 3rd shifts…scary ain’t it. And you wondered why you couldn’t balance.
I have been married to Kay for 38 years, and she for what seems like100, bless her heart. Our first daughter, Shelley, is an OT at the UNC Hospital in God’s county. Our second married daughter, Ashley, is an Interior Designer with an architectural firm in Charlotte.
I have been in the life insurance business since 1975. Designations: CLU, ChFC, CFP, ABC, XYZ, SOB, LOL
I have spent the last 7 years in and out of NC state maximum security prisons, in Alexander, Burke, and McDowell Counties with Kairos Prison Ministries, building Christian communities on the Other side of the wall. Please call me, if you have any interest…704-301-4027. Kairosnc.org
God has been good to me on my journey. I pray that the Lord will go with you on yours.
May He go ahead of you to show the way. May He go behind you to encourage you. May He go beside you to be your friend. May He go above you to protect you. And may He go in your heart to give you Peace. Amen
God Loves You and So Do I
Tom Sehorn
Caroline Shaw Ometz
Richardson TX
csoart30@gmail.com
Although I did not graduate in North Carolina, I consider the Myers Park Class of 1964 my class. After graduating in California, I returned to Charlotte where I met my dear, sweet husband of 46 years. He is an electrical engineer, the polar opposite of my artistic nature. Since 1970 Dallas Texas has been home. My beautiful daughter, Shay Ashley was born in 1975. She is now head designer for Fossil and has given me two lovely grandsons.
I graduated with a BS degree from UTD. On the recommendation of a gallery owner that all artists need to know business and sales (he was right), I became an outside sales representative for 12 years. This position was lucrative, but not satisfying, I quit and established an art studio in Deep Ellum, an artists enclave. For 25 years this studio was a gathering place for artists and people who wanted to learn and create. Workshops in Mendocino California was also a venue for creative exploring. Graduate work has been done at SMU and University of Dallas.
My work has been shown internationally and is in collections throughout the United States. I have been in group shows and have had one woman shows. My work has been published in national art magazines such as American Artist. For a midlife crises project, I was President of The Southwest Pastel Society.
I have enjoyed traveling. Standing on the Bosporus in Istanbul was a fulfillment of a youthful dream. Places I could not go, I created on canvas. In the 1990’s I created many “Window Scenes” of Tuscany and Provence. Another youthful dream was to travel to the stars, so I created the “Cosmos Series”.
Because my youth was so difficult, I have and will always mentor teenage artists. Now I am writing and illustrating a children’s book that I hope to publish next year. A research scientist and I are collaborating on a project studying the chaos theory in oncology.
I have studied Tai Chi for 8 years am planning to become an instructor. I still love to learn and grow. I love cooking, gardening and nature. But none of this would matter without the love of my family and friends.
Since I was not able to participate in activities, clubs and proms in high school, this 50th Year Reunion will be my prom and fun.
Richardson TX
csoart30@gmail.com
Although I did not graduate in North Carolina, I consider the Myers Park Class of 1964 my class. After graduating in California, I returned to Charlotte where I met my dear, sweet husband of 46 years. He is an electrical engineer, the polar opposite of my artistic nature. Since 1970 Dallas Texas has been home. My beautiful daughter, Shay Ashley was born in 1975. She is now head designer for Fossil and has given me two lovely grandsons.
I graduated with a BS degree from UTD. On the recommendation of a gallery owner that all artists need to know business and sales (he was right), I became an outside sales representative for 12 years. This position was lucrative, but not satisfying, I quit and established an art studio in Deep Ellum, an artists enclave. For 25 years this studio was a gathering place for artists and people who wanted to learn and create. Workshops in Mendocino California was also a venue for creative exploring. Graduate work has been done at SMU and University of Dallas.
My work has been shown internationally and is in collections throughout the United States. I have been in group shows and have had one woman shows. My work has been published in national art magazines such as American Artist. For a midlife crises project, I was President of The Southwest Pastel Society.
I have enjoyed traveling. Standing on the Bosporus in Istanbul was a fulfillment of a youthful dream. Places I could not go, I created on canvas. In the 1990’s I created many “Window Scenes” of Tuscany and Provence. Another youthful dream was to travel to the stars, so I created the “Cosmos Series”.
Because my youth was so difficult, I have and will always mentor teenage artists. Now I am writing and illustrating a children’s book that I hope to publish next year. A research scientist and I are collaborating on a project studying the chaos theory in oncology.
I have studied Tai Chi for 8 years am planning to become an instructor. I still love to learn and grow. I love cooking, gardening and nature. But none of this would matter without the love of my family and friends.
Since I was not able to participate in activities, clubs and proms in high school, this 50th Year Reunion will be my prom and fun.
Barbara Sizer McAnulty
Greenville, SC
barbaramcanulty@yahoo.com
I graduated from Lees McRae College in Banner Elk in 1966. It was only a two-year college when I attended, but is now a four-year college. There were several Myers Park graduates in my class at Lees McRae. I received my medical secretarial degree and worked at Duke University medical center in Durham before accepting a job with Mecklenburg Medical Group in Charlotte in the summer of 1967. At that time there were only five doctors. I am told that there are now about 100 doctors associated with MMG. I married Jim McAnulty in August 1971 and we moved to Columbia so he could finish his degree at the University of South Carolina. Go Cocks! We just celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary. We moved back to Charlotte in 1972 and I went back to work MMG. Our daughter, Kelly, was born in 1975 and our son, Grant, was born in 1978. Kelly lives right outside of Dallas Texas and Grant and his wife live in Mount Pleasant South Carolina. So far, we do not have any grandchildren, but we have two granddogs…Myrtle is a Pembroke corgi and Willis is a black Scottie. We moved back to Columbia in December 1981 and in the summer of 1986 we moved to Greenville and are still there. So, I have been gone from Charlotte almost 33 years. I have made many trips back to Charlotte over the years to visit my mother, brother, and best friend and have seen so many changes. I finally retired last year and I am really enjoying a more relaxed life. I am finally able to do things on my timeline which is very nice. I am looking forward to seeing some old friends and getting reacquainted at the reunion.
Greenville, SC
barbaramcanulty@yahoo.com
I graduated from Lees McRae College in Banner Elk in 1966. It was only a two-year college when I attended, but is now a four-year college. There were several Myers Park graduates in my class at Lees McRae. I received my medical secretarial degree and worked at Duke University medical center in Durham before accepting a job with Mecklenburg Medical Group in Charlotte in the summer of 1967. At that time there were only five doctors. I am told that there are now about 100 doctors associated with MMG. I married Jim McAnulty in August 1971 and we moved to Columbia so he could finish his degree at the University of South Carolina. Go Cocks! We just celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary. We moved back to Charlotte in 1972 and I went back to work MMG. Our daughter, Kelly, was born in 1975 and our son, Grant, was born in 1978. Kelly lives right outside of Dallas Texas and Grant and his wife live in Mount Pleasant South Carolina. So far, we do not have any grandchildren, but we have two granddogs…Myrtle is a Pembroke corgi and Willis is a black Scottie. We moved back to Columbia in December 1981 and in the summer of 1986 we moved to Greenville and are still there. So, I have been gone from Charlotte almost 33 years. I have made many trips back to Charlotte over the years to visit my mother, brother, and best friend and have seen so many changes. I finally retired last year and I am really enjoying a more relaxed life. I am finally able to do things on my timeline which is very nice. I am looking forward to seeing some old friends and getting reacquainted at the reunion.
Cheryl Smith Surbaugh
Sister Way, WI
cherylsurb@charter.net
Would have loved to have attended but my husband is in Turkey for a month and I am keeping down the home front. I moved from Charlotte after my junior year at Myers Park. I had lived in Charlotte since 7th grade. I spent my senior year in high school at Dykes in Atlanta, GA. From there I went back to Charlotte to Queens for two years and then on to graduate from the business school at Emory University. I married Bill several days after college graduation and we lived in Atlanta for 4 years, moving to his hometown of Anderson, IN in 1972. We lived there until 2011 when we moved to Door County, Wisconsin.
We have a son, Stephen who owns a property management business in Grand Marais, MN. He has three children. Our daughter, Julie, is a psychologist in Manhattan, NYC.
Over the years beyond raising the children, I worked as an Administrator of an honors program for students at Anderson University and from there went to work at the local Community Foundation.
I have wonderful memories of Myers Park and Charlotte and am sorry to miss the reunion.
Sister Way, WI
cherylsurb@charter.net
Would have loved to have attended but my husband is in Turkey for a month and I am keeping down the home front. I moved from Charlotte after my junior year at Myers Park. I had lived in Charlotte since 7th grade. I spent my senior year in high school at Dykes in Atlanta, GA. From there I went back to Charlotte to Queens for two years and then on to graduate from the business school at Emory University. I married Bill several days after college graduation and we lived in Atlanta for 4 years, moving to his hometown of Anderson, IN in 1972. We lived there until 2011 when we moved to Door County, Wisconsin.
We have a son, Stephen who owns a property management business in Grand Marais, MN. He has three children. Our daughter, Julie, is a psychologist in Manhattan, NYC.
Over the years beyond raising the children, I worked as an Administrator of an honors program for students at Anderson University and from there went to work at the local Community Foundation.
I have wonderful memories of Myers Park and Charlotte and am sorry to miss the reunion.
Susan Elaine Smith Reeves
Mooresville, NC
saltysailawayme@aol.com
Attended Sedgefield Junior High 7th grade
Attended Alexander Graham Junior High 8th & 9th grades
Attended Myers Park High School 10th-11th grade
Attended St Genieve of the Pines (boarding) High School in Asheville first 6 months of 12th grade
Attended Myers Park High for 3 months of 12th grade 1964
Married in 1964
High School Diploma finally received in 1965
Attended CPCC from 1989 until 2001.
Mooresville, NC
saltysailawayme@aol.com
Attended Sedgefield Junior High 7th grade
Attended Alexander Graham Junior High 8th & 9th grades
Attended Myers Park High School 10th-11th grade
Attended St Genieve of the Pines (boarding) High School in Asheville first 6 months of 12th grade
Attended Myers Park High for 3 months of 12th grade 1964
Married in 1964
High School Diploma finally received in 1965
Attended CPCC from 1989 until 2001.
- Two children and 6 grandchildren. My youngest, Michael, lives in Mississippi with his wife and 3 children. My oldest, Ashley, lives in Alabama where she works for a securities management firm and boards, trains and raises German Drahthaar hunting dogs.
- Lived in Wurzburg, Germany for 3 years (where Ashley was born) and then Mecklenburg and Iredell counties with 6 yrs in York County, S.C.
- Worked for CMC (old Memorial Hospital) in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and then Duke Energy first at Catawba Nuclear Station then McGuire Nuclear station with my last year before retirement spent in downtown Charlotte Duke offices.
- 6 years as an avid “horsewoman” with my mostly Arabian gelding in South Carolina, then after relocating to Lake Norman, 6 years as an avid “sailor” along with my (2nd) husband on our wonderful 32 foot Bristol vintage sailboat. I’ve kept up my art work, selling some works but mostly giving paintings to family and friends. I cared for my sister while she was living with us struggling with a terminal illness. I plowed up our back yard of our Iredell County home and planted a vegetable garden for 4 years straight during my retirement. My current hobby is planting lovely flower gardens all around our country home and raising fancy goldfish in our backyard pond.
George Snead
Clover SC
Viet Nam Veteran - Served with 101st ABN
Retired 1999 from Consolidated Freightways.
Clover SC
Viet Nam Veteran - Served with 101st ABN
Retired 1999 from Consolidated Freightways.
Garry Snook
Carbondale, CO
snookcolorado@gmail.com
life has been very good! my best friend and partner in life, Sharon, has been my wife for 46 years. we have two great kids, Aaron(36) and Jen(33).
In '82 we started a catalog business in our basement, Performance Bicycle Shop. It has grown to 110 stores and a catalog/internet business.
I retired 6 years ago, and since then we have traveled extensively, visiting over 60 countries.
Carbondale, CO
snookcolorado@gmail.com
life has been very good! my best friend and partner in life, Sharon, has been my wife for 46 years. we have two great kids, Aaron(36) and Jen(33).
In '82 we started a catalog business in our basement, Performance Bicycle Shop. It has grown to 110 stores and a catalog/internet business.
I retired 6 years ago, and since then we have traveled extensively, visiting over 60 countries.
Steve St Clair
North Myrtle Beach SC
gymdoctor@gmail.com
Doctorate from UNC-Greensboro
Master's from UNC-Charlotte
B. S. Wayne State University; Detroit, Mi.
After finishing MP in '64 attended college for 2 1/2 years. Could not decide on a major and enlisted in the US Army for three years. Thanks much to Coach Cloaninger who taught me how to type (sat next to Rick Inderfurth), I became a Stenographer. Typing speed increased to 80+ wpm (Coach Cloaniger would have been proud; manual typewriter). Steno school was 6 hours a day, 6 days a week with shorthand 4 hours each day, l hour of typing and 1 hour of military correspondence. Official Shorthand speed after sixteen weeks was 130wpm. I had one successful take at 140 WPM but needed three at 140 wpm to qualify at that speed. Steno school came to a close and had orders for Fort Bliss, Tx. then Longh Binh, Vietnam. Assigned to the USARV Surgeon's Office n Vetnam and worked for two General Officers, General Neal and General Thomas, Medical Service Corps. On loan to JAG office when the General's were out of country and also to the JAG office in Fort Lee, Va. for military proceedings. Upon completion of military service finished undergraduate work at Wayne State University, Detroit, Mi. and escaped the frozen tundra North by moving back to Charlotte. Taught in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for thirty-five years and twenty summers for LDAC (Learning Disability Association of Charlotte). Coached football, basketball, baseball and soccer. Developed Shag, unicycle and juggling clubs at various elementary schools in CMS. Earned a Master's Degree from UNC-Charlotte (Curriculum Instructional Specialist certification; Social Studies certification; graduate coursework in Exercise Physiology)and a Doctorate from UNC-Greensboro in History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education. Presented professional papers at state and national conferences of American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and North American Society for Sport History (NASSH). Published in AAHPERD as well as NASSH Journal. State Historian for NCAHPERD. Interviewed by Florida State University. However, they were offering ten thousand dollars less than what I was making in CMS. Offered a position in Albion College, Mi. but knew that was too cold for me. Married had three kids, divorced. Married some five years later and lived in Tega Cay, SC on Lake Wylie ("The River"). Children have degrees from East Carolina University in Environmental Design; UNC-Chapel Hill, English Literature and UNC-Charlotte, History. Moved to North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove) in 2008 and live in "Charleston Landing" near the salt marsh. Have a condo "The Oceans" 2500 N. Ocean Blvd. ocean front in Cherry Grove. Days spent triathlon training and nights dancing (Shag). Competed on the CSA/SPA circuit (Competitive Shagger's Assocation/Shag Preservation Association) for about five years. Dance for FUN now! Don't have to worry about those required "mirror/together steps", degree of difficulty, execution, togetherness, smoothness and repotoire. Taught Shag classes at the Gold Hill YMCA and other venues in Rock Hill, Tega Cay and Fort Mill for ten plus years. Officiated High School/Collegiate baseball for over twenty years. Dual Member of Myrtle Beach Masonic Lodge #353 and Catawba Lodge #56 Fort Mill, SC. Past Master of York Masonic Lodge #385, Rock Hill, SC; Certified lecturer on all Blue Lodge lectures; 32nd Degree Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH) "Red Hat" Scottish-Rite Mason, Valley of Charleston, SC; Degree Master and "Wise Master" for the 18th Degree and participant in the 4th, 6th, 18th, 30th and 32nd Degrees; In line for 33rd Degree "White Hat"; Shriner: member of Hejaz Shrine Temple, Mauldin, SC (Upstate) and Hot Wheels Motor Unit (Indy type cars with go-cart engines); Chief Assistant Special Aide to Illustrious Sir Allen Elliot, Potentate of Hejaz Shrine Temple, 2010. Friends at MP included mostly football players i.e. John Loesch, Bart Mauldin, Mike Holden, Phil Murray, Ronnie Bobo, Bob Garnett, "Carl Keith", Joe Berry, Walter Wolfe, John Robbins. Outside of football players, Neil Poliakoff, Rick Dimmette were good friends in Ms. Moore's homeroom. My Father bought us a 1961 'Carolina Blue' MGA in early Spring of 64. Could not match Rick Dimmette's Corvette. Randy Horton had a "Sunbeam" and Melvin Segal had an Impala Super Sport. Remember riding to a basketball game once with Melvin. He had a 45 RPM record player under the glove box that played without skipping!!! Moving back to Tega Cay as soon as we sell the house in "Charleston Landing" Will be closer to both sons as well as Kathy's (wife) parents. Hate to leave the beach but as they say, "Happy wife Happy life"! Looking forward to the "REUNON"! Missed all of the others.
North Myrtle Beach SC
gymdoctor@gmail.com
Doctorate from UNC-Greensboro
Master's from UNC-Charlotte
B. S. Wayne State University; Detroit, Mi.
After finishing MP in '64 attended college for 2 1/2 years. Could not decide on a major and enlisted in the US Army for three years. Thanks much to Coach Cloaninger who taught me how to type (sat next to Rick Inderfurth), I became a Stenographer. Typing speed increased to 80+ wpm (Coach Cloaniger would have been proud; manual typewriter). Steno school was 6 hours a day, 6 days a week with shorthand 4 hours each day, l hour of typing and 1 hour of military correspondence. Official Shorthand speed after sixteen weeks was 130wpm. I had one successful take at 140 WPM but needed three at 140 wpm to qualify at that speed. Steno school came to a close and had orders for Fort Bliss, Tx. then Longh Binh, Vietnam. Assigned to the USARV Surgeon's Office n Vetnam and worked for two General Officers, General Neal and General Thomas, Medical Service Corps. On loan to JAG office when the General's were out of country and also to the JAG office in Fort Lee, Va. for military proceedings. Upon completion of military service finished undergraduate work at Wayne State University, Detroit, Mi. and escaped the frozen tundra North by moving back to Charlotte. Taught in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for thirty-five years and twenty summers for LDAC (Learning Disability Association of Charlotte). Coached football, basketball, baseball and soccer. Developed Shag, unicycle and juggling clubs at various elementary schools in CMS. Earned a Master's Degree from UNC-Charlotte (Curriculum Instructional Specialist certification; Social Studies certification; graduate coursework in Exercise Physiology)and a Doctorate from UNC-Greensboro in History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education. Presented professional papers at state and national conferences of American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and North American Society for Sport History (NASSH). Published in AAHPERD as well as NASSH Journal. State Historian for NCAHPERD. Interviewed by Florida State University. However, they were offering ten thousand dollars less than what I was making in CMS. Offered a position in Albion College, Mi. but knew that was too cold for me. Married had three kids, divorced. Married some five years later and lived in Tega Cay, SC on Lake Wylie ("The River"). Children have degrees from East Carolina University in Environmental Design; UNC-Chapel Hill, English Literature and UNC-Charlotte, History. Moved to North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove) in 2008 and live in "Charleston Landing" near the salt marsh. Have a condo "The Oceans" 2500 N. Ocean Blvd. ocean front in Cherry Grove. Days spent triathlon training and nights dancing (Shag). Competed on the CSA/SPA circuit (Competitive Shagger's Assocation/Shag Preservation Association) for about five years. Dance for FUN now! Don't have to worry about those required "mirror/together steps", degree of difficulty, execution, togetherness, smoothness and repotoire. Taught Shag classes at the Gold Hill YMCA and other venues in Rock Hill, Tega Cay and Fort Mill for ten plus years. Officiated High School/Collegiate baseball for over twenty years. Dual Member of Myrtle Beach Masonic Lodge #353 and Catawba Lodge #56 Fort Mill, SC. Past Master of York Masonic Lodge #385, Rock Hill, SC; Certified lecturer on all Blue Lodge lectures; 32nd Degree Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH) "Red Hat" Scottish-Rite Mason, Valley of Charleston, SC; Degree Master and "Wise Master" for the 18th Degree and participant in the 4th, 6th, 18th, 30th and 32nd Degrees; In line for 33rd Degree "White Hat"; Shriner: member of Hejaz Shrine Temple, Mauldin, SC (Upstate) and Hot Wheels Motor Unit (Indy type cars with go-cart engines); Chief Assistant Special Aide to Illustrious Sir Allen Elliot, Potentate of Hejaz Shrine Temple, 2010. Friends at MP included mostly football players i.e. John Loesch, Bart Mauldin, Mike Holden, Phil Murray, Ronnie Bobo, Bob Garnett, "Carl Keith", Joe Berry, Walter Wolfe, John Robbins. Outside of football players, Neil Poliakoff, Rick Dimmette were good friends in Ms. Moore's homeroom. My Father bought us a 1961 'Carolina Blue' MGA in early Spring of 64. Could not match Rick Dimmette's Corvette. Randy Horton had a "Sunbeam" and Melvin Segal had an Impala Super Sport. Remember riding to a basketball game once with Melvin. He had a 45 RPM record player under the glove box that played without skipping!!! Moving back to Tega Cay as soon as we sell the house in "Charleston Landing" Will be closer to both sons as well as Kathy's (wife) parents. Hate to leave the beach but as they say, "Happy wife Happy life"! Looking forward to the "REUNON"! Missed all of the others.
Walter Stanley
Charleston SC
wrstan@gmali.com
I was better known as "Rabbit" in High School. After high school I attended Wingate Collage, Received a BS in Business from East Tennessee State, continued on for a Masters in Counseling from South Carolina State and most recently completed the HVAC Certificate Program at Trident Tech here in Charleston. I am currently employed by the oldest church south of Virginia- Old St Andrews Parish Church in Charleston. The church building dates back to 1706 which was under British Rule at the time.
I taught math in Bamberg, SC and Charleston, SC for 20 years. In the middle of teaching I went into the Army (20 years) and retired Military. After leaving teaching I was employed by the Medical University of SC where I oversaw the electrical systems for MUSC's 5 hospitals. At that point I was eligible for retirement but instead, I went to work for Suncom Wireless. I have enjoyed multiple trips to France chaperoning students. I was also active in Lions Clubs International, where I was elected District Governor. As District Governor, I traveled to China, Bangkok, Taipei, and Queensland raising awareness and resources for the blind. I am married to Candace Brace. Together we have 4 sons, 2 stepdaughters and 9 grandchildren. I have been blessed! Please contact me when you come to Charleston!
Charleston SC
wrstan@gmali.com
I was better known as "Rabbit" in High School. After high school I attended Wingate Collage, Received a BS in Business from East Tennessee State, continued on for a Masters in Counseling from South Carolina State and most recently completed the HVAC Certificate Program at Trident Tech here in Charleston. I am currently employed by the oldest church south of Virginia- Old St Andrews Parish Church in Charleston. The church building dates back to 1706 which was under British Rule at the time.
I taught math in Bamberg, SC and Charleston, SC for 20 years. In the middle of teaching I went into the Army (20 years) and retired Military. After leaving teaching I was employed by the Medical University of SC where I oversaw the electrical systems for MUSC's 5 hospitals. At that point I was eligible for retirement but instead, I went to work for Suncom Wireless. I have enjoyed multiple trips to France chaperoning students. I was also active in Lions Clubs International, where I was elected District Governor. As District Governor, I traveled to China, Bangkok, Taipei, and Queensland raising awareness and resources for the blind. I am married to Candace Brace. Together we have 4 sons, 2 stepdaughters and 9 grandchildren. I have been blessed! Please contact me when you come to Charleston!
Alec Steele
Marietta GA
gasteele@bellsouth.net
I am currently semi-retired from healthcare consulting.
BS from UNC-C, MS and Ph.D. from Florida State University.
I am widowed with two grown sons.
I am in remission from acute myeloid leukemia and am ready to travel and catch up on the last two years.
Hope to see you in October.
Marietta GA
gasteele@bellsouth.net
I am currently semi-retired from healthcare consulting.
BS from UNC-C, MS and Ph.D. from Florida State University.
I am widowed with two grown sons.
I am in remission from acute myeloid leukemia and am ready to travel and catch up on the last two years.
Hope to see you in October.
Louise Steiger Heizer
Simpsonville, SC
lheizer@bellsouth.net
Life seems to get better and better with each passing year or so it seems!
After graduating from Myers Park, I went to school in Switzerland for two years where I developed a love for travel and history. I then returned to the U.S. to complete my college studies in Rhode Island, though my fondness for exploration and learning through travel was not forgotten.
In the meantime, I shared an apartment in Durham, N.C., with a former MPHS classmate, Edith Rosenblatt, for approximately one year. We both worked at the Duke Medical Center where I met my future husband of 46 years, Bill Heizer. I continued working while Bill completed his Masters Degree in Hospital Administration at Duke. During his career we have lived in several locations in the Southeast, ending up in Greenville, S.C., for his final 22 yrs before retiring.
Our two daughters, Meg and Caroline, married Clemson graduates and brightened our lives with seven grandchildren. One has triplets plus a caboose and the other has twins plus a caboose; all live close by so our holidays and birthdays are joyful (and loud) gatherings. All seven grandchildren will be in college at approximately the same time, so yes, we have set up a 529 College Savings Plan for each to help out!
I am an avid tennis player and also enjoy volunteering and gardening, but my true love is travelling with Bill to faraway, interesting places. In the past 18 months we have visited the Ukraine, Peru, India and Turkey...and there's lots more in our bucket list!
Simpsonville, SC
lheizer@bellsouth.net
Life seems to get better and better with each passing year or so it seems!
After graduating from Myers Park, I went to school in Switzerland for two years where I developed a love for travel and history. I then returned to the U.S. to complete my college studies in Rhode Island, though my fondness for exploration and learning through travel was not forgotten.
In the meantime, I shared an apartment in Durham, N.C., with a former MPHS classmate, Edith Rosenblatt, for approximately one year. We both worked at the Duke Medical Center where I met my future husband of 46 years, Bill Heizer. I continued working while Bill completed his Masters Degree in Hospital Administration at Duke. During his career we have lived in several locations in the Southeast, ending up in Greenville, S.C., for his final 22 yrs before retiring.
Our two daughters, Meg and Caroline, married Clemson graduates and brightened our lives with seven grandchildren. One has triplets plus a caboose and the other has twins plus a caboose; all live close by so our holidays and birthdays are joyful (and loud) gatherings. All seven grandchildren will be in college at approximately the same time, so yes, we have set up a 529 College Savings Plan for each to help out!
I am an avid tennis player and also enjoy volunteering and gardening, but my true love is travelling with Bill to faraway, interesting places. In the past 18 months we have visited the Ukraine, Peru, India and Turkey...and there's lots more in our bucket list!
Joyce Stevens Dunn
Virginia Beach VA
joyced41@cox.net
Married Bob Dunn after high school. Traveled the world while he was in the Navy. Morroco, Greece, CA. Two daughters, two grand daughters. Taught Office Technology at ECPI Voccational College, Worked Civil Service while in Greece, Government Contractor for Communications Co. Still married to Bob, will celebrate 50th in 2016.
Virginia Beach VA
joyced41@cox.net
Married Bob Dunn after high school. Traveled the world while he was in the Navy. Morroco, Greece, CA. Two daughters, two grand daughters. Taught Office Technology at ECPI Voccational College, Worked Civil Service while in Greece, Government Contractor for Communications Co. Still married to Bob, will celebrate 50th in 2016.
Anne Strickland McQuiston
Charlotte, NC
amcquiston@birch.net
After graduating from MPHS, I attended St. Andrews Pres. College. I returned to Charlotte following graduation to work at Seigle Ave. Pres. Church doing inner city children's work. In 1971 I married Jim McQuiston a behavioral therapist and Presbyterian minister. We have two grown sons who are both married. We have a six-year old granddaughter and a two-month old grandson. After doing church work for a number of years, I had the opportunity to work part-time as Ex. Director of a small non-profit providing group homes for adults with cerebral palsy. The part-time job became full-time and I spent the next 27 years developing programs for people with developmental disabilities. I have been retired for two years and enjoy visiting our sons, daughter's in-law and grandchildren, traveling, hiking, volunteering in the community and participating on a worships arts team.
Harry Stroud
Green Valley AZ
h.stroud84@gmail.com
Married Beverly Banks had one son now 48. I am retired living in AZ 80 every day dream city to live. WISH I had moved here
20 years ago.
Green Valley AZ
h.stroud84@gmail.com
Married Beverly Banks had one son now 48. I am retired living in AZ 80 every day dream city to live. WISH I had moved here
20 years ago.
Bobby Spain
Lexington, KY
bspain29@gmail.com
Greetings from the Bluegrass! Was given a second opportunity to get the 11th grade right,by going to Castle Heights Military Academy in Tn.for 2yrs.Thus losing my Sr. year with you.However;the Lord had a plan for my life thanks to Mal McSwain,Mr. & Mrs. Gates Kimball (Clay's parents)and Gus Purcell.They raised the money to help pay my way to prep school for 2 yrs....I am grateful for their belief in me, that with God's help I could make it in life...
My college days: spent 2 yrs at Gardner Webb College,Captained the football team and was Student Govt. President,.From GW,transfered to Guilford College on football scholarship,captained the football team there.
Graduated from both Gardner Webb and Guilford.Took a teaching/coaching position in Danville Va.6mos. later was drafted into the Army.Was Military Police,sent overseas to Korea for 13 mo...Returned in 71 to take a teaching/coaching position at Ledford Sr. High in Thomasville,NC.for 7 yrs.Married had 1 son Jason.Went back to graduate school and got Masters in Education.Head football coach,head wrestling coach,head track coach..Our 1976 football team had 11-2 record.Lost in semi final round to eventual state champion Franklin. Left the education field in 1978,to pursue career in Sales.
Mike Holden was instrumental in my hiring at Lane Furniture Corp.,he was VP of Sales at the time...So God had prepared me for a work opportunity like Mike would offer.I enjoyed 30 successful yrs.of Sales at Lane.Retired 2013.
Remarried in 1997,to Betty.Inherited 2 kids...we now have 6 grandsons.3 in Texas,3 in Ky. Our oldest grandson is a Sr. at Texas A&M.
Have been blessed to be a leader in Mens Bible Study Fellowship for 8 yrs now.A wonderful opportunity for men to study Gods word together.
Accepted Jesus as Saviour in Young Life, because of Mal and Wanda McSwains witness of Jesus love and acceptance of me,a broken teenager at the time.
My thanks to Mal and Wanda are eternal! As I walk daily with the Lord.
Nuff said!!I pray God's special blessings on you and your families
James Tadlock
North Charleston, SC
jamesatadlock@yahoo.com
Folks, I looked at that great lineup of folks who are attending the reunion and sadly I have to say that I do not recognize a single one. The best that I can say is that I do have a diploma from this great school and it is signed by Dr. Laird Lewis. And by the way I didn't look that up. I remember graduation night at Ovens Auditorium. Didn't know my rear from a hole in the ground, but I was graduating.
I came to Charlotte in late August 1962 and moved with my parents and younger siblings into what I guess you would call a Dilworth Bungalow, well half of it. The owner of the property, G.W. West lived in the other half. We came to Charlotte from Greenwood, Mississippi. No car of our own. My adopted father's brother came from North Carolina to Mississippi to pick us up and bring us hopefully to a better place. See, I am not really a Tadlock. It's an adopted name for me. We came to Charlotte with virtually nothing of our own except the clothes on our backs. And of course, we headed for the Po Side of Town. Remember ? I wish I had some property in Dilworth right now that I could sell. Unbelievable. Well, anyway us Po Folks over in Dilworth went to the biggest, best, most exclusive, without a doubt the best football team school in Charlotte and maybe even the state. I rode the city bus to school and back home. On my first day, I failed to get on the bus to come home because of my ignorance and not being able to tell anybody so that I could get on the right bus. All the buses left and there I was down on that back road where the buses always parked. Nothing to do but start hoofing. I knew that the only way out was up Colony Road and then make a right on Selwyn Ave. I made my way up Selwyn and for some reason recognized Queens Road West. I went down Queens Road West and bam saw Freedom Park. I knew that I was headed in the right direction. I made it home and boy I didn't let that happen again. Anyway, such was my first day at Myers Park.
I was not a good student. I wasn't even a mediocre student. I am sure that ya'll remember folks like me. Oh, by the way, the reason that I am writing this is because I am pretty darn sure that ya'll won't hear from any others like myself. I just wanted to shed a little light on "The Po Side of Town." Love that song. Remember Johnny Rivers ? Anyway, let me rattle off a few names of people who I knew from Myers Park. Here goes: Kenneth Cribb, Croft Hamrick, Arthur Hamrick, Doris Hamrick, Mike Campbell (who by the way is living in Hawaii) Russell Noland, Travis Cribb, Jimmy Steele, Ray Steele, Leon Doster, the entire Shirah family......David, Gayle, Libby, Margaret, Daniel, Phillip, Becky. That's about it. I knew a few others that I cannot name. Anyway, I scraped by with the rest of these folks and somehow received a diploma.
I was a "do nothing" type of person. Had to leave home because of my stepdad and live with an aunt and uncle on Cleveland Ave. My best friends were the Hamricks. They had and still have an upholstery business called H&F. Their parents let me work there or goof off there might be a better term. I worked mostly as a "Tow Boy" as one of my fellow employees called it. Some of ya'll might know of or remember seeing the pickup trucks with H&F Upholstering Co. painted on the sides. 100% of our business came from the Myers Park, Southpark area. Nobody else could afford our prices. We did work for all the Country Clubs, etc. and everything through a bunch of interior decorators. It was a blast. Kids having a good time with the parents generating the money. Didn't have much money, but it was more than I ever had before.
Ya'll remember a "thang" called the Vietnam War ? Vietnam ? Where the hell is that ? Nobody knew, but we listened to the news and it won't good. Well, ya'll all know how it goes. No money, not smart enough to even think about college. Vietnam was a whole other country. An ole boy like myself had 3 choices, wait for the draft, join, run oft to Canada. Well, I actually did not have sense enough to do any of those things. I just sat there like a big fat turkey on the limb of a dead chestnut tree. If I ever had anything, it was a little bit of luck and just enough sense to recognize it. Two of the ole timers who worked at H&F and were veterans of World War II and Korea saw some good in me and began talking to me about this military duty which I was surely going to embark on very soon. They told me under no uncertain terms to get my butt down to the courthouse and see a recruiter and join and preferably the Air Force. They stayed on me until I did just that. Saying that if I didn't join that I would be beat'n the bush in Vietnam and probably would not stand a snow ball's chance in hell of getting out alive. Well, to make a long story short, I did what they tole me and went down to the recruiting office on a Saturday. I was 18 years old. I went through basic training and ended up at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio. I was in 17th Bomb Wing Strategic Air Command. I had an administrative job. Keeping up with discrepancies on the electronic systems of the B-52's. I couldn't complain. 3 meals a day, a warm place to sleep (and its cold in the winter in Ohio). Had some spending money too and even had a movie theater there on base. I lived in a place called "Wood City". Old World War II Barracks. Everything went like a charm for me. I made a stripe each of the 4 years that I served and came out a Staff Sergeant E-5. Kan't do no better than that. Impossible. Everything was just fine and dandy until I got down to that last year and I got them dreaded orders to take my Po Self to that place called Nam. Hell, I was scared to death. I had PTSD before I ever left these United States. But, fellas, my luck held out again. I was assigned to Tan Son Nhut Air Base just outside Saigon, the safest place there ever was in Nam. Oh, we had artillery fire all the time and had to call out the C-47 gunships to get rid of the VC. But I never saw any North Vietnam regulars. First day I got there (on a Sunday) a security police told me not to pay no attention to that artillery fire, but he said if that siren goes off, get under that bunk and pull the mattress in around you. I had some good friends from my duty there. Two I still keep contact with. Got a email from a young fella recently and he wanted to know if I knew his dad. I told him that I served with his dad in Vietnam and I knew him very well and I liked his dad a lot. He told me that his father died in 2007.
Anyway, so much for that. I thought that I was going to come back to the U.S. and set the woods on fire doing some unknown something. So I separated from the Air Force at Travis AFB in San Francisco. I came home, knocked around odd jobs. Had anxiety so bad I didn't know what to do. I got married to a wonderful girl. She was and is my saving grace. We have two daughters and a son. All are college graduates. My oldest daughter graduated magna cum laude from South Carolina. My son did the same and then he went on to James Madison in Virginia and finally got his masters at Virginia Commonwealth and is working toward his PhD now. He is married to a wonderful young lady from New Hampshire who he met at James Madison. They both live and work for the state of South Carolina in Columbia. My son travels around the state checking on public schools. My daughter in law is a therapist. My middle daughter went to Winthrop in Rock Hill. After two years at Winthrop she transferred to Converse College in Spartanburg where she graduated with honors and she is a teacher for hearing impaired students. I am the luckiest man alive. I have one grandson and one granddaughter and I am so proud. Early in my career I finally picked up a good job with Consolidated Freightways Air Freight Division. I worked at the Charlotte Airport. There was a buyout and I ended up with Emery Worldwide after CF bought them. Emery eventually became Menlo Worldwide and I finally decided that it was time to retire. So I retired before UPS came along and bought the company from CF. No more CF. Just Con-Way Enterprises now, but they are a good company. When I retired I was the Senior Operations Supervisor. I knocked around for a few more years with a small freight company delivering small packages. I started having more health problems than I could stand in 2011 and so I hung it up for good. My wife continued to work until April of this year. I have heart problems and I am recognized as service connected by the VA. I had open heart surgery on May 2, 2014 and I have been doing good. I had the surgery done at the VA hospital in Charleston by surgeons from MUSC. We wanted to get close to the Charleston hospital so we put our house in Lake Wylie up for sale and it sold in 5 days. So we moved down to North Charleston to a "over 55" community and we bought a house which is actually a duplex. We have some nice neighbors from Richmond. We live right next to Charleston Southern University.
I say again, I come from nothing. I was born in the poorest state, in the poorest county (Carroll) of the state. Nothing when I came along but cotton fields and the only cotton pickers were hands. I feel so lucky to have ended up in Charlotte and at the best doggone high school in the whole state. I remember standing on the patio with friends listening to the Four Seasons belt out "Sherry" on the juke box inside the cafeteria. I loved every minute of it. I remember Mr. Booth the Industrial Arts Teacher. I remember Mr. Jaynes who always talked about Lenoir Rhyne. I remember sitting next to a boy named John Fragakis in Mr. Jaynes class. I remember Johnny Hastin. I remember Bell's Hamburgers and David Shirah who was a natural hell raiser. I remember his brother Danny and also Phil. I would not trade my time in Charlotte for anything. It was hard but it won't all hard. Many are gone now but I remember. I don't have anything that I am more proud of than that high school diploma from The Home of the Mustangs.
May God Bless all of Ya'll.
North Charleston, SC
jamesatadlock@yahoo.com
Folks, I looked at that great lineup of folks who are attending the reunion and sadly I have to say that I do not recognize a single one. The best that I can say is that I do have a diploma from this great school and it is signed by Dr. Laird Lewis. And by the way I didn't look that up. I remember graduation night at Ovens Auditorium. Didn't know my rear from a hole in the ground, but I was graduating.
I came to Charlotte in late August 1962 and moved with my parents and younger siblings into what I guess you would call a Dilworth Bungalow, well half of it. The owner of the property, G.W. West lived in the other half. We came to Charlotte from Greenwood, Mississippi. No car of our own. My adopted father's brother came from North Carolina to Mississippi to pick us up and bring us hopefully to a better place. See, I am not really a Tadlock. It's an adopted name for me. We came to Charlotte with virtually nothing of our own except the clothes on our backs. And of course, we headed for the Po Side of Town. Remember ? I wish I had some property in Dilworth right now that I could sell. Unbelievable. Well, anyway us Po Folks over in Dilworth went to the biggest, best, most exclusive, without a doubt the best football team school in Charlotte and maybe even the state. I rode the city bus to school and back home. On my first day, I failed to get on the bus to come home because of my ignorance and not being able to tell anybody so that I could get on the right bus. All the buses left and there I was down on that back road where the buses always parked. Nothing to do but start hoofing. I knew that the only way out was up Colony Road and then make a right on Selwyn Ave. I made my way up Selwyn and for some reason recognized Queens Road West. I went down Queens Road West and bam saw Freedom Park. I knew that I was headed in the right direction. I made it home and boy I didn't let that happen again. Anyway, such was my first day at Myers Park.
I was not a good student. I wasn't even a mediocre student. I am sure that ya'll remember folks like me. Oh, by the way, the reason that I am writing this is because I am pretty darn sure that ya'll won't hear from any others like myself. I just wanted to shed a little light on "The Po Side of Town." Love that song. Remember Johnny Rivers ? Anyway, let me rattle off a few names of people who I knew from Myers Park. Here goes: Kenneth Cribb, Croft Hamrick, Arthur Hamrick, Doris Hamrick, Mike Campbell (who by the way is living in Hawaii) Russell Noland, Travis Cribb, Jimmy Steele, Ray Steele, Leon Doster, the entire Shirah family......David, Gayle, Libby, Margaret, Daniel, Phillip, Becky. That's about it. I knew a few others that I cannot name. Anyway, I scraped by with the rest of these folks and somehow received a diploma.
I was a "do nothing" type of person. Had to leave home because of my stepdad and live with an aunt and uncle on Cleveland Ave. My best friends were the Hamricks. They had and still have an upholstery business called H&F. Their parents let me work there or goof off there might be a better term. I worked mostly as a "Tow Boy" as one of my fellow employees called it. Some of ya'll might know of or remember seeing the pickup trucks with H&F Upholstering Co. painted on the sides. 100% of our business came from the Myers Park, Southpark area. Nobody else could afford our prices. We did work for all the Country Clubs, etc. and everything through a bunch of interior decorators. It was a blast. Kids having a good time with the parents generating the money. Didn't have much money, but it was more than I ever had before.
Ya'll remember a "thang" called the Vietnam War ? Vietnam ? Where the hell is that ? Nobody knew, but we listened to the news and it won't good. Well, ya'll all know how it goes. No money, not smart enough to even think about college. Vietnam was a whole other country. An ole boy like myself had 3 choices, wait for the draft, join, run oft to Canada. Well, I actually did not have sense enough to do any of those things. I just sat there like a big fat turkey on the limb of a dead chestnut tree. If I ever had anything, it was a little bit of luck and just enough sense to recognize it. Two of the ole timers who worked at H&F and were veterans of World War II and Korea saw some good in me and began talking to me about this military duty which I was surely going to embark on very soon. They told me under no uncertain terms to get my butt down to the courthouse and see a recruiter and join and preferably the Air Force. They stayed on me until I did just that. Saying that if I didn't join that I would be beat'n the bush in Vietnam and probably would not stand a snow ball's chance in hell of getting out alive. Well, to make a long story short, I did what they tole me and went down to the recruiting office on a Saturday. I was 18 years old. I went through basic training and ended up at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio. I was in 17th Bomb Wing Strategic Air Command. I had an administrative job. Keeping up with discrepancies on the electronic systems of the B-52's. I couldn't complain. 3 meals a day, a warm place to sleep (and its cold in the winter in Ohio). Had some spending money too and even had a movie theater there on base. I lived in a place called "Wood City". Old World War II Barracks. Everything went like a charm for me. I made a stripe each of the 4 years that I served and came out a Staff Sergeant E-5. Kan't do no better than that. Impossible. Everything was just fine and dandy until I got down to that last year and I got them dreaded orders to take my Po Self to that place called Nam. Hell, I was scared to death. I had PTSD before I ever left these United States. But, fellas, my luck held out again. I was assigned to Tan Son Nhut Air Base just outside Saigon, the safest place there ever was in Nam. Oh, we had artillery fire all the time and had to call out the C-47 gunships to get rid of the VC. But I never saw any North Vietnam regulars. First day I got there (on a Sunday) a security police told me not to pay no attention to that artillery fire, but he said if that siren goes off, get under that bunk and pull the mattress in around you. I had some good friends from my duty there. Two I still keep contact with. Got a email from a young fella recently and he wanted to know if I knew his dad. I told him that I served with his dad in Vietnam and I knew him very well and I liked his dad a lot. He told me that his father died in 2007.
Anyway, so much for that. I thought that I was going to come back to the U.S. and set the woods on fire doing some unknown something. So I separated from the Air Force at Travis AFB in San Francisco. I came home, knocked around odd jobs. Had anxiety so bad I didn't know what to do. I got married to a wonderful girl. She was and is my saving grace. We have two daughters and a son. All are college graduates. My oldest daughter graduated magna cum laude from South Carolina. My son did the same and then he went on to James Madison in Virginia and finally got his masters at Virginia Commonwealth and is working toward his PhD now. He is married to a wonderful young lady from New Hampshire who he met at James Madison. They both live and work for the state of South Carolina in Columbia. My son travels around the state checking on public schools. My daughter in law is a therapist. My middle daughter went to Winthrop in Rock Hill. After two years at Winthrop she transferred to Converse College in Spartanburg where she graduated with honors and she is a teacher for hearing impaired students. I am the luckiest man alive. I have one grandson and one granddaughter and I am so proud. Early in my career I finally picked up a good job with Consolidated Freightways Air Freight Division. I worked at the Charlotte Airport. There was a buyout and I ended up with Emery Worldwide after CF bought them. Emery eventually became Menlo Worldwide and I finally decided that it was time to retire. So I retired before UPS came along and bought the company from CF. No more CF. Just Con-Way Enterprises now, but they are a good company. When I retired I was the Senior Operations Supervisor. I knocked around for a few more years with a small freight company delivering small packages. I started having more health problems than I could stand in 2011 and so I hung it up for good. My wife continued to work until April of this year. I have heart problems and I am recognized as service connected by the VA. I had open heart surgery on May 2, 2014 and I have been doing good. I had the surgery done at the VA hospital in Charleston by surgeons from MUSC. We wanted to get close to the Charleston hospital so we put our house in Lake Wylie up for sale and it sold in 5 days. So we moved down to North Charleston to a "over 55" community and we bought a house which is actually a duplex. We have some nice neighbors from Richmond. We live right next to Charleston Southern University.
I say again, I come from nothing. I was born in the poorest state, in the poorest county (Carroll) of the state. Nothing when I came along but cotton fields and the only cotton pickers were hands. I feel so lucky to have ended up in Charlotte and at the best doggone high school in the whole state. I remember standing on the patio with friends listening to the Four Seasons belt out "Sherry" on the juke box inside the cafeteria. I loved every minute of it. I remember Mr. Booth the Industrial Arts Teacher. I remember Mr. Jaynes who always talked about Lenoir Rhyne. I remember sitting next to a boy named John Fragakis in Mr. Jaynes class. I remember Johnny Hastin. I remember Bell's Hamburgers and David Shirah who was a natural hell raiser. I remember his brother Danny and also Phil. I would not trade my time in Charlotte for anything. It was hard but it won't all hard. Many are gone now but I remember. I don't have anything that I am more proud of than that high school diploma from The Home of the Mustangs.
May God Bless all of Ya'll.
George Talbot
The Coast of Maine and The Mountains of Montana
ghtinvestments@gmail.com
All things considered life has treated me fairly well. As Henry Ford once said "I don't complain and I don't explain".
Thank you and good luck to you all.
Ken Tarleton
Seattle, Washington
ken@tarletonacademy.com
I regret that I won’t be with you at the reunion next week. After much education and a variety of jobs (chaplain, counselor, behavioral scientist, minister), I am happily retired in Seattle. I’ve been married for 34 years to Betsey Cotter, a physician. We have three children: a daughter, Emily, who lives in Oregon with her husband Mitch and our 19-month-old grandson, Aidan; a son, Brice, who lives in Philadelphia; and a son, Brendan, who is in college here in Washington state. These days I enjoy reading, running, and volunteering at a public, non-profit alternative-music radio station, KEXP (kexp.org). I’d love to share coffee or a meal when you come to Seattle.
Seattle, Washington
ken@tarletonacademy.com
I regret that I won’t be with you at the reunion next week. After much education and a variety of jobs (chaplain, counselor, behavioral scientist, minister), I am happily retired in Seattle. I’ve been married for 34 years to Betsey Cotter, a physician. We have three children: a daughter, Emily, who lives in Oregon with her husband Mitch and our 19-month-old grandson, Aidan; a son, Brice, who lives in Philadelphia; and a son, Brendan, who is in college here in Washington state. These days I enjoy reading, running, and volunteering at a public, non-profit alternative-music radio station, KEXP (kexp.org). I’d love to share coffee or a meal when you come to Seattle.
Ann Teat Gallant
Baltimore, Maryland
anntgallant@gmail.com
Let’s see...born February 27, 1946 in Augusta, Georgia...no, you don’t want that info here!
Phase I. Academics and pre-marriage: Graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1968 with a BA in French followed by a Master’s in Romance Languages from UNC. Spent a junior year in Paris. Taught French for five years in Maryland. After three years as a ski bum in Crested Butte, Colorado, I got more serious about the future and completed a Master’s in International Management at Thunderbird in 1977.
Phase 2: Marriage and Career. Married Philip Gallant in 1978 in a small ceremony officiated by Margaret Barnes Perry. Anne Underwood Grant was there as well. Was blessed with an instant family with two stepchildren - Shannon, then 12, and Jason, then 10. Moved to Baltimore to start a business career which included senior management positions running the marketing and communications programs for The Baltimore Sun and CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Our kids live in Baltimore and in Maui and we have 4 interesting and entertaining grandchildren. Along the way, I introduced Chris Connor to my brother, Jim, and they married nearly 20 years ago.
Phase 3: A fulfilling semi-retirement: Having flunked retirement, in 2007, I helped start a consulting firm with four other women. www.synergiesconsultinggroup.com. We advise small and mid-sized non-profits to improve results.
Philip and I travel a lot. We love to fly fish and hike – mostly in the west. Still ski when I can. And do volunteer work for my church and other community programs. Life is good.
Baltimore, Maryland
anntgallant@gmail.com
Let’s see...born February 27, 1946 in Augusta, Georgia...no, you don’t want that info here!
Phase I. Academics and pre-marriage: Graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1968 with a BA in French followed by a Master’s in Romance Languages from UNC. Spent a junior year in Paris. Taught French for five years in Maryland. After three years as a ski bum in Crested Butte, Colorado, I got more serious about the future and completed a Master’s in International Management at Thunderbird in 1977.
Phase 2: Marriage and Career. Married Philip Gallant in 1978 in a small ceremony officiated by Margaret Barnes Perry. Anne Underwood Grant was there as well. Was blessed with an instant family with two stepchildren - Shannon, then 12, and Jason, then 10. Moved to Baltimore to start a business career which included senior management positions running the marketing and communications programs for The Baltimore Sun and CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Our kids live in Baltimore and in Maui and we have 4 interesting and entertaining grandchildren. Along the way, I introduced Chris Connor to my brother, Jim, and they married nearly 20 years ago.
Phase 3: A fulfilling semi-retirement: Having flunked retirement, in 2007, I helped start a consulting firm with four other women. www.synergiesconsultinggroup.com. We advise small and mid-sized non-profits to improve results.
Philip and I travel a lot. We love to fly fish and hike – mostly in the west. Still ski when I can. And do volunteer work for my church and other community programs. Life is good.
Sandra (Sandy) Thompson Rea
Fort Mill SC
stggrd@aol.com
After graduation, spent two years at Meredith College before graduating from UNC-CH with a degree in Elementary Education. Taught in Charlotte for a year afterwards. Married (1969) and moved to Chicago -- taught 6th grade there -- got a huge "raise"! After husband's transfer to Atlanta, we resettled in Charlotte till 1976 when we moved to Fort Mill, SC. A really great school system here. Had 3 children - 2 daughters in eastern NC (Greenville and New Bern) and a son in Jackson, WY. Remarried (widowed in 1996) in 2000 and "acquired" 8 grandchildren to add to my one granddaughter, GiGi! Still in Fort Mill. Enjoy being close to Charlotte and still visit Park Road Shopping Center. Spend lots of beach time at Sunset Beach, and enjoy reading, Bible study and activities at church - Unity Pres. in Fort Mill. Travel and Panthers games, college sports and times with family and friends keep us busy. Life is Good! Looking forward to our 50th reunion...Thanks, Reunion Committee!
Fort Mill SC
stggrd@aol.com
After graduation, spent two years at Meredith College before graduating from UNC-CH with a degree in Elementary Education. Taught in Charlotte for a year afterwards. Married (1969) and moved to Chicago -- taught 6th grade there -- got a huge "raise"! After husband's transfer to Atlanta, we resettled in Charlotte till 1976 when we moved to Fort Mill, SC. A really great school system here. Had 3 children - 2 daughters in eastern NC (Greenville and New Bern) and a son in Jackson, WY. Remarried (widowed in 1996) in 2000 and "acquired" 8 grandchildren to add to my one granddaughter, GiGi! Still in Fort Mill. Enjoy being close to Charlotte and still visit Park Road Shopping Center. Spend lots of beach time at Sunset Beach, and enjoy reading, Bible study and activities at church - Unity Pres. in Fort Mill. Travel and Panthers games, college sports and times with family and friends keep us busy. Life is Good! Looking forward to our 50th reunion...Thanks, Reunion Committee!
Ashley Thrift
Winston Salem, NC - Naples, FL
aothrift@thriftlaw.com
Reflecting on 50 years is a bit daunting. Doing so reminds me how fortunate I have been. I’ll miss October 25 so let me thank those who are responsible for putting the reunion together.
MPHS faculty such as Ms. Baker, Mr. Coble and Ms. Rankin prepared me for college in ways that I didn’t fully recognize at the time. As a result my UNC experience was rich in every way. Working my way through Carolina by selling dictionaries in the summers and with campus jobs—intramural program director my senior year—provided me with experience that has proved as valuable as the academics.
After graduation I was headed to Army OCS but a last minute opportunity to join the Reserves enabled me to start law school at USC with only a year delay. Again, campus jobs enabled me to attend law school and gain valuable work experience. My senior year I served as USC’s Dean for Campus Relations, and after graduation I joined the law faculty as Assistant Dean. A couple of years later I moved over to Associate University Counsel and married to my sweetheart, Julianne Still. We met at South Carolina where she served as University Ombudsman. We moved to Washington, DC, for her to get her Ph.D. at George Washington University; and, I first worked as associate counsel for the House Judiciary Committee and later joined Senator Fritz Hollings’ staff and became his Chief of Staff and Counsel for the next 15 years. The Senate is fantastic and I enjoyed every minute of working with Fritz and the many friends I made there. Fritz’s committee assignments were broad and stimulating, and the work fulfilling and challenging. It was quite an education in policy and politics and campaigning. I traveled widely and met leaders across the country and abroad. Julianne and I renovated a townhouse on Capitol Hill and we welcomed two daughters, Lindsay and Laura, to our family. They are the heartbeat of our lives.
In 1991, we moved to Winston-Salem for Julianne to become President of Salem Academy and College. I joined the Womble Carlyle law firm, and then promptly started commuting to Washington and South Carolina to finish up Fritz’s 1992 campaign. Because of my work in the Senate, my law practice focused on government matters and international business development, particularly in China. Both of our daughters graduated from Salem Academy—where else?—and Lindsay headed off to Wellesley and, later, Laura to Johns Hopkins. The only downside has been that upon graduation each located near their college.
Being in NC also enabled me to pursue my long held interest in and involvement with early childhood education. I found a focus with NC’s Smart Start, Governor Hunt’s new initiative. I helped get it started and then served as state board chair for 15 years and in this role traveled to all 100 counties as an advocate for young children. Additionally, I pursued another interest—public TV—and how it serves children. No one does children’s programming better. I have served on the UNC-TV board for the past 18 years and the national board for six of those. I am pleased to say that two governors have awarded me “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine” for my volunteer work.
Julianne served 15 years as President, retiring the month that Laura graduated from college. I resigned my law partnership about the same time and opened a firm to serve several long-term clients; however, I am mostly retired. Julianne and I spend about a half year at our condo in Naples, FL, and the remainder in Winston-Salem or traveling. We have two grandsons in Cambridge, MA, that we see as often as we can. This summer Julianne and I celebrated our 40th anniversary with a great family trip to England.
We are enjoying visiting friends and biking, reading and traveling.
Winston Salem, NC - Naples, FL
aothrift@thriftlaw.com
Reflecting on 50 years is a bit daunting. Doing so reminds me how fortunate I have been. I’ll miss October 25 so let me thank those who are responsible for putting the reunion together.
MPHS faculty such as Ms. Baker, Mr. Coble and Ms. Rankin prepared me for college in ways that I didn’t fully recognize at the time. As a result my UNC experience was rich in every way. Working my way through Carolina by selling dictionaries in the summers and with campus jobs—intramural program director my senior year—provided me with experience that has proved as valuable as the academics.
After graduation I was headed to Army OCS but a last minute opportunity to join the Reserves enabled me to start law school at USC with only a year delay. Again, campus jobs enabled me to attend law school and gain valuable work experience. My senior year I served as USC’s Dean for Campus Relations, and after graduation I joined the law faculty as Assistant Dean. A couple of years later I moved over to Associate University Counsel and married to my sweetheart, Julianne Still. We met at South Carolina where she served as University Ombudsman. We moved to Washington, DC, for her to get her Ph.D. at George Washington University; and, I first worked as associate counsel for the House Judiciary Committee and later joined Senator Fritz Hollings’ staff and became his Chief of Staff and Counsel for the next 15 years. The Senate is fantastic and I enjoyed every minute of working with Fritz and the many friends I made there. Fritz’s committee assignments were broad and stimulating, and the work fulfilling and challenging. It was quite an education in policy and politics and campaigning. I traveled widely and met leaders across the country and abroad. Julianne and I renovated a townhouse on Capitol Hill and we welcomed two daughters, Lindsay and Laura, to our family. They are the heartbeat of our lives.
In 1991, we moved to Winston-Salem for Julianne to become President of Salem Academy and College. I joined the Womble Carlyle law firm, and then promptly started commuting to Washington and South Carolina to finish up Fritz’s 1992 campaign. Because of my work in the Senate, my law practice focused on government matters and international business development, particularly in China. Both of our daughters graduated from Salem Academy—where else?—and Lindsay headed off to Wellesley and, later, Laura to Johns Hopkins. The only downside has been that upon graduation each located near their college.
Being in NC also enabled me to pursue my long held interest in and involvement with early childhood education. I found a focus with NC’s Smart Start, Governor Hunt’s new initiative. I helped get it started and then served as state board chair for 15 years and in this role traveled to all 100 counties as an advocate for young children. Additionally, I pursued another interest—public TV—and how it serves children. No one does children’s programming better. I have served on the UNC-TV board for the past 18 years and the national board for six of those. I am pleased to say that two governors have awarded me “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine” for my volunteer work.
Julianne served 15 years as President, retiring the month that Laura graduated from college. I resigned my law partnership about the same time and opened a firm to serve several long-term clients; however, I am mostly retired. Julianne and I spend about a half year at our condo in Naples, FL, and the remainder in Winston-Salem or traveling. We have two grandsons in Cambridge, MA, that we see as often as we can. This summer Julianne and I celebrated our 40th anniversary with a great family trip to England.
We are enjoying visiting friends and biking, reading and traveling.
Becky Trapp Mays
Winston-Salem, NC
btmays@bellsouth.net
50 Years in a Nutshell
1964 - Married Dwight and entered Furman University.
1965 - Transferred to UNC-Charlotte.
1966 - David was born.
1970 - Glen was born, and I graduated from UNC-Charlotte with BA in English with teacher certification.
1972 - Marshall was born.
1974 - Began teaching at Central Piedmont, the first of five community colleges over the years. We moved often!
1983 - Moved to Winston-Salem where I worked as a costumed guide at Old Salem by day and taught at Forsyth Tech in the evening. Our sons also worked at Old Salem during high school. Still love that place!
1985 - Began teaching high school English. Really enjoyed it.
1993 - Received MA in Education from Wake Forest University.
2001 - Dwight and I went our separate ways.
2007 - Retired from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
Roy Faw and I have been together now for 13 years. He is a wonderful man and we enjoy gardening, archery (compound bows), fishing, travel, and poking around antique and consignment stores together - wherever we find them. We exercise at the Y, and I also tap dance with the Snappy Tappers. Fun!
Son David (and Janice) live in San Francisco. His daughter Jessie (21) is a senior at the University of Wyoming. Son Glen (and Brynn) live in Lexington, KY with their sons Quentin (9) and Jasper (4). Son Marshall lives in Winston-Salem. My children and grandchildren are a great source of joy to me.
I am excited about seeing fellow Mustangs in October. Thanks to everyone who has worked on this 5oth reunion!
Winston-Salem, NC
btmays@bellsouth.net
50 Years in a Nutshell
1964 - Married Dwight and entered Furman University.
1965 - Transferred to UNC-Charlotte.
1966 - David was born.
1970 - Glen was born, and I graduated from UNC-Charlotte with BA in English with teacher certification.
1972 - Marshall was born.
1974 - Began teaching at Central Piedmont, the first of five community colleges over the years. We moved often!
1983 - Moved to Winston-Salem where I worked as a costumed guide at Old Salem by day and taught at Forsyth Tech in the evening. Our sons also worked at Old Salem during high school. Still love that place!
1985 - Began teaching high school English. Really enjoyed it.
1993 - Received MA in Education from Wake Forest University.
2001 - Dwight and I went our separate ways.
2007 - Retired from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
Roy Faw and I have been together now for 13 years. He is a wonderful man and we enjoy gardening, archery (compound bows), fishing, travel, and poking around antique and consignment stores together - wherever we find them. We exercise at the Y, and I also tap dance with the Snappy Tappers. Fun!
Son David (and Janice) live in San Francisco. His daughter Jessie (21) is a senior at the University of Wyoming. Son Glen (and Brynn) live in Lexington, KY with their sons Quentin (9) and Jasper (4). Son Marshall lives in Winston-Salem. My children and grandchildren are a great source of joy to me.
I am excited about seeing fellow Mustangs in October. Thanks to everyone who has worked on this 5oth reunion!
Anne Underwood Grant
Mills River, NC
annieug@bellsouth.net
Does anybody else feel like you're writing your own obituary? Here goes: Anne was a wonderful woman -- oops, that's not going to work here.
I attended Myers Park in the 10th grade only and that attendance was sporadic at best. I spent many days "skipping" with other flunkies, whom I'll not name here but most of whom are not attending this reunion. I graduated from St. Mary's in Raleigh.
When I finally got my act together, I graduated with honors from Carolina where I was captain of the women's tennis team. I spent some time in Linguistics grad school but left to become part of the founding staff of the NC Arts Council.
I left the Arts Council to marry Berry Grant in Charlotte. Berry and I had two children, Elizabeth 40 and Leighton 38, and we divorced when they were still quite young. Being a single parent in the 70s and 80s was hard but I was lucky to work with people who understood and gave me some slack. Most of my work life was spent in Charlotte where I owned an ad agency for a dozen years.
In 1993 I sent my children off to prep schools, closed my business, sold my house and left Charlotte for the mountains just south of Asheville where I wrote murder mysteries for the first ten years and have been developing a line of champion English Labrador retrievers these second ten years.
I hope that each of you has had as joyful a life as mine has been. I wish we all had 68 more years ahead of us
Mills River, NC
annieug@bellsouth.net
Does anybody else feel like you're writing your own obituary? Here goes: Anne was a wonderful woman -- oops, that's not going to work here.
I attended Myers Park in the 10th grade only and that attendance was sporadic at best. I spent many days "skipping" with other flunkies, whom I'll not name here but most of whom are not attending this reunion. I graduated from St. Mary's in Raleigh.
When I finally got my act together, I graduated with honors from Carolina where I was captain of the women's tennis team. I spent some time in Linguistics grad school but left to become part of the founding staff of the NC Arts Council.
I left the Arts Council to marry Berry Grant in Charlotte. Berry and I had two children, Elizabeth 40 and Leighton 38, and we divorced when they were still quite young. Being a single parent in the 70s and 80s was hard but I was lucky to work with people who understood and gave me some slack. Most of my work life was spent in Charlotte where I owned an ad agency for a dozen years.
In 1993 I sent my children off to prep schools, closed my business, sold my house and left Charlotte for the mountains just south of Asheville where I wrote murder mysteries for the first ten years and have been developing a line of champion English Labrador retrievers these second ten years.
I hope that each of you has had as joyful a life as mine has been. I wish we all had 68 more years ahead of us
Gloria Wagner Bowers
Mt. Gliead, NC 27306
Gloria.bowers@yahoo.com
Highlights:
Mt. Gliead, NC 27306
Gloria.bowers@yahoo.com
Highlights:
- Attended Lenoir Rhyne College
- Have 4 Children and 4 grandchildren
- Retired life is great! We enjoy life on Lake Tillery – boating with friends – and at the beach – family trips to Sunset Beach and SOS (shagging) trips to North Myrtle Beach
- Love tennis, playing several times each week and enjoy traveling to tennis tournaments (watching, not playing) in New York, Miami, Charleston and Winston-Salem
- Other favorite activities are bridge, book club and two local service clubs. Volunteer with Community Table, Meals-on-Wheels, and many church projects.
Fred Walton
Charlotte NC
fawalton@gmail.com
Fifty years is way too hard to sense that it has been that long. I join in thanking the group of volunteers that have done the work to put this reunion together. Nine years after graduating from MPHS I finally went to work with the firm that I eventually retired from. Those nine years included graduating from East Carolina University with a BS in Accounting and four years in the US Navy from 1967 to 1971. I was stationed for two of those years in Okinawa as a radio/navigator on a transport aircraft and flew in and out of many of the Far East countries. I retired in 2005 from the accounting firm BDO after 32 years. I live in Charlotte with my wife of 38 years, Gloria and have two married children and four grandchildren. Since retiring, we spend about half of our time in the mountains enjoying our log cabin and all of the great adventures of being outside.
Charlotte NC
fawalton@gmail.com
Fifty years is way too hard to sense that it has been that long. I join in thanking the group of volunteers that have done the work to put this reunion together. Nine years after graduating from MPHS I finally went to work with the firm that I eventually retired from. Those nine years included graduating from East Carolina University with a BS in Accounting and four years in the US Navy from 1967 to 1971. I was stationed for two of those years in Okinawa as a radio/navigator on a transport aircraft and flew in and out of many of the Far East countries. I retired in 2005 from the accounting firm BDO after 32 years. I live in Charlotte with my wife of 38 years, Gloria and have two married children and four grandchildren. Since retiring, we spend about half of our time in the mountains enjoying our log cabin and all of the great adventures of being outside.
Kathy Watts Smyth
Houston, Texas
kksmyth@gmail.com
It will be wonderful to see my classmates in October for the first time in many years. It has been inspiring to read your bios. Here’s mine. Since graduating from Myers Park, I attended Emory University for two years, graduated from the University of North Carolina in ‘68, worked for IBM in Washington, DC for a couple of years before returning to UNC to get a masters degree. Married Joe Pyne from Maine, had a son, Sam Pyne, and moved around the US while Joe was in the Navy before landing in New Orleans in ‘75 and then Houston in ‘82. Married my second husband, David Smyth, an oilman and rancher, in 2006 and have happily melded our families. Between us, we have three sons and four granddaughters. Currently, I serve on the board of several conservation-related foundations. My favorite has been the Dixon Water Foundation, which owns and operates cattle ranches in Texas and Colorado and manages them sustainably, while raising organic, grass-fed beef and funding an annual grant program. If you buy grass-fed beef from Whole Foods, it may come from one of our ranches. Looking forward to seeing you in October.
Houston, Texas
kksmyth@gmail.com
It will be wonderful to see my classmates in October for the first time in many years. It has been inspiring to read your bios. Here’s mine. Since graduating from Myers Park, I attended Emory University for two years, graduated from the University of North Carolina in ‘68, worked for IBM in Washington, DC for a couple of years before returning to UNC to get a masters degree. Married Joe Pyne from Maine, had a son, Sam Pyne, and moved around the US while Joe was in the Navy before landing in New Orleans in ‘75 and then Houston in ‘82. Married my second husband, David Smyth, an oilman and rancher, in 2006 and have happily melded our families. Between us, we have three sons and four granddaughters. Currently, I serve on the board of several conservation-related foundations. My favorite has been the Dixon Water Foundation, which owns and operates cattle ranches in Texas and Colorado and manages them sustainably, while raising organic, grass-fed beef and funding an annual grant program. If you buy grass-fed beef from Whole Foods, it may come from one of our ranches. Looking forward to seeing you in October.
Harry Weatherly
Charlotte, NC
hweatherlyjr@gmail.com
After Myers Park, I attended the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1968 with an accounting degree. I went to work for Haskins and Sells CPA in Charlotte and passed the CPA exam. In 1969, I joined the Army, with training at Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Fort Benning, GA. In 1970 I was sent to Vietnam, serving with the 9th Division and 25th Division, stationed south of Saigon. I was awarded an Army commendation medal with a V for valor for actions when our base was hit by mortars. I returned in December 1970, discharged and returned to Haskins and Sells I met and married Portia in 1974. Besides getting a beautiful wife, I got her wonderful daughters, Tonya and Nicki. In 1976, I left Haskins and Sells and went to work for Mecklenburg County in the Finance Department where I stayed until retiring as Finance Director in 2006. Also in 1976 our son Jamie was born. Portia and I have traveled quite a bit in the United States and on ocean cruises, and last year went on a Danube River cruise, our first trip to Europe. Our family now consists of daughter Tonya, area superintendent with Charlotte Mecklenburg schools; her sons Kameron, a junior at Appalachian, and Holden, a junior at South Mecklenburg; daughter Nicki, office assistant at Winget Park Elementary; her husband Richard, homicide detective for Charlotte Mecklenburg Police; and their sons Carson and Zachary, both students at Southwest Middle School, and son Jamie, chef at Red Rocks Café in Southpark; and his fiancé Jackie, in nursing school, and 2 1/2 year old granddaughter Sophia. Looking forward to the reunion weekend.
Charlotte, NC
hweatherlyjr@gmail.com
After Myers Park, I attended the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1968 with an accounting degree. I went to work for Haskins and Sells CPA in Charlotte and passed the CPA exam. In 1969, I joined the Army, with training at Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Fort Benning, GA. In 1970 I was sent to Vietnam, serving with the 9th Division and 25th Division, stationed south of Saigon. I was awarded an Army commendation medal with a V for valor for actions when our base was hit by mortars. I returned in December 1970, discharged and returned to Haskins and Sells I met and married Portia in 1974. Besides getting a beautiful wife, I got her wonderful daughters, Tonya and Nicki. In 1976, I left Haskins and Sells and went to work for Mecklenburg County in the Finance Department where I stayed until retiring as Finance Director in 2006. Also in 1976 our son Jamie was born. Portia and I have traveled quite a bit in the United States and on ocean cruises, and last year went on a Danube River cruise, our first trip to Europe. Our family now consists of daughter Tonya, area superintendent with Charlotte Mecklenburg schools; her sons Kameron, a junior at Appalachian, and Holden, a junior at South Mecklenburg; daughter Nicki, office assistant at Winget Park Elementary; her husband Richard, homicide detective for Charlotte Mecklenburg Police; and their sons Carson and Zachary, both students at Southwest Middle School, and son Jamie, chef at Red Rocks Café in Southpark; and his fiancé Jackie, in nursing school, and 2 1/2 year old granddaughter Sophia. Looking forward to the reunion weekend.
Judy West Cayce
Amelia Island Fla./Roswell GA.
jcayce1@comcast.net
After graduation I attended Averett University. While there I played field hockey, wrote, produce and recorded a weekly radio talk show. The fall of '66 I saw Herb Goins play football in South Bend Ind.(Duke vs Notre Dame). I married John Cayce '63 MPHS. The Army moved us around the country, 5 times. I stayed packed. During his tour of Vietnam I came back to Charlotte and spent a lot of time with Suzanne Williams Griffin as Richard was there at the same time. Upon John's return we move to Atlanta where our three sons were born. His company moved us twice to other states, then back to Atlanta. We retired and spend equal time between Florida and Georgia. When we are not traveling to other parts of the world for John's singing we spend lots of time with our five grandchildren. In 2011 I co-wrote a Children's book, Miss Milli's Adventure/Garden Adventure Series. My novel 'Thorns Before The Blooms' is due to be in print by spring 2015.
I'm traveling so I am unable to attend but I will be thinking about how much fun I'm missing. Please feel free to email anytime.
Amelia Island Fla./Roswell GA.
jcayce1@comcast.net
After graduation I attended Averett University. While there I played field hockey, wrote, produce and recorded a weekly radio talk show. The fall of '66 I saw Herb Goins play football in South Bend Ind.(Duke vs Notre Dame). I married John Cayce '63 MPHS. The Army moved us around the country, 5 times. I stayed packed. During his tour of Vietnam I came back to Charlotte and spent a lot of time with Suzanne Williams Griffin as Richard was there at the same time. Upon John's return we move to Atlanta where our three sons were born. His company moved us twice to other states, then back to Atlanta. We retired and spend equal time between Florida and Georgia. When we are not traveling to other parts of the world for John's singing we spend lots of time with our five grandchildren. In 2011 I co-wrote a Children's book, Miss Milli's Adventure/Garden Adventure Series. My novel 'Thorns Before The Blooms' is due to be in print by spring 2015.
I'm traveling so I am unable to attend but I will be thinking about how much fun I'm missing. Please feel free to email anytime.
Jane Whitton Nole
Auburn CA
janenole@ymail.com
WOW! It's been 50 years since Mustangland and we are inching up on 70! Hard to believe! I gradually moved myself and my children across country or should I say I followed them. Lived in the Carolinas, DC/VA, Santa Fe NM, and finally California. Careers included teaching, real estate sales, management, commercial development and appraisal, and a national trainer for the world's largest real estate company. I am blessed to have the most wonderful Italian husband. Frank. Together we have 3 sons, 1 daughter, 10 grandkids. most of which live in the same community as we do. Our days are spent golfing, boating, managing real estate, and spending time with our friends and family. Life is good and we are so blessed!
Looking forward to seeing everyone! Many thanks to all those who made the reunion possible!
Auburn CA
janenole@ymail.com
WOW! It's been 50 years since Mustangland and we are inching up on 70! Hard to believe! I gradually moved myself and my children across country or should I say I followed them. Lived in the Carolinas, DC/VA, Santa Fe NM, and finally California. Careers included teaching, real estate sales, management, commercial development and appraisal, and a national trainer for the world's largest real estate company. I am blessed to have the most wonderful Italian husband. Frank. Together we have 3 sons, 1 daughter, 10 grandkids. most of which live in the same community as we do. Our days are spent golfing, boating, managing real estate, and spending time with our friends and family. Life is good and we are so blessed!
Looking forward to seeing everyone! Many thanks to all those who made the reunion possible!
Cheryl ("Cherie") Williams Horner
jctoadhall@Carolina.rr.com
Weddington NC
Married to W. Jay Horner, three children, 4 grandchildren, all of us live in Union County, NC now. After graduating from UNC - Chapel Hill in June 1968, became one of the first female Officers at the (then) Charlotte Police Department; retired in 1997 from CMPD. Was a Detective my whole career, starting out in Youth Investigations, then became the first female Detective in the Rape/Sex Crimes Unit, spending l5 years there, then I was an Investigator in the Felony Unit of the Mecklenburg County DA's Office. Husband Jay and I were the first married couple, both Officers, to retire from CMPD; Jay was a Captain. Very happily retired in the "Country", gardening, riding tractors, family, friends...life is good!
jctoadhall@Carolina.rr.com
Weddington NC
Married to W. Jay Horner, three children, 4 grandchildren, all of us live in Union County, NC now. After graduating from UNC - Chapel Hill in June 1968, became one of the first female Officers at the (then) Charlotte Police Department; retired in 1997 from CMPD. Was a Detective my whole career, starting out in Youth Investigations, then became the first female Detective in the Rape/Sex Crimes Unit, spending l5 years there, then I was an Investigator in the Felony Unit of the Mecklenburg County DA's Office. Husband Jay and I were the first married couple, both Officers, to retire from CMPD; Jay was a Captain. Very happily retired in the "Country", gardening, riding tractors, family, friends...life is good!
Suzanne Williams Griffin
Peachland NC
aswgriffin@wildblue.net
After graduation from Myers Park, I headed to Meredith College where I majored in Home Economics. During my sophomore year, I met my husband, Richard, and we married two weeks after graduation – that’ll be 46 years together this June. After his return from Viet Nam, we moved to the country, about an hour east of Charlotte. So I’m now a “country girl” who lives in the boondocks, gardens and preserves fruits and vegetables, rides a 4-wheeler around our 160 acres regularly seeing deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife – a far cry from the Country Club!
While in college, I had said I did not want to teach school. So guess how I spent 34 years of my life! I taught 2nd grade and junior high. Then, while working on my master’s degree at UNCC, I got interested in computers which lead me to becoming a district-wide computer teacher at the time when computers were just being introduced into the schools. I became the Computer and Testing Coordinator for Anson County Schools and earned my EdS from Winthrop College. In 1996, I became the Director of Technology, Media, and Student Information for Richmond County Schools. In these roles, I worked with the state department in writing and subsequently revising the state technology curriculum and required computer test. In 2005 I supplemented my regular job by becoming an Adjunct Professor for Lesley University (Cambridge, MA) and teaching in their educational technology master’s program.
Richard and I have been blessed with two children. Beth teaches high school (Foods and Pro Start Career and Technical Education Programs), is married to a retired Marine, and has two children: Heather, a sophomore at Meredith, and Richard, a high school junior. Bill is principal at Hudson Middle School, is married to a 2nd grade teacher, and has a 9 year old (Gabe). We are so proud that he has just completed his PhD in Educational Administration. We love to travel – have a RV and travel all around the US and Canada, often taking the grandchildren to learn about the wonderful, fantastic country.
I’ve kept up with some of my Myers Park buddies and last year reunited with my best friends through the marvels of the Internet. Then, we met for a day, just like we had never been apart. Now, I’m looking forward to seeing so many others from my childhood and youth at our reunion in October.
Peachland NC
aswgriffin@wildblue.net
After graduation from Myers Park, I headed to Meredith College where I majored in Home Economics. During my sophomore year, I met my husband, Richard, and we married two weeks after graduation – that’ll be 46 years together this June. After his return from Viet Nam, we moved to the country, about an hour east of Charlotte. So I’m now a “country girl” who lives in the boondocks, gardens and preserves fruits and vegetables, rides a 4-wheeler around our 160 acres regularly seeing deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife – a far cry from the Country Club!
While in college, I had said I did not want to teach school. So guess how I spent 34 years of my life! I taught 2nd grade and junior high. Then, while working on my master’s degree at UNCC, I got interested in computers which lead me to becoming a district-wide computer teacher at the time when computers were just being introduced into the schools. I became the Computer and Testing Coordinator for Anson County Schools and earned my EdS from Winthrop College. In 1996, I became the Director of Technology, Media, and Student Information for Richmond County Schools. In these roles, I worked with the state department in writing and subsequently revising the state technology curriculum and required computer test. In 2005 I supplemented my regular job by becoming an Adjunct Professor for Lesley University (Cambridge, MA) and teaching in their educational technology master’s program.
Richard and I have been blessed with two children. Beth teaches high school (Foods and Pro Start Career and Technical Education Programs), is married to a retired Marine, and has two children: Heather, a sophomore at Meredith, and Richard, a high school junior. Bill is principal at Hudson Middle School, is married to a 2nd grade teacher, and has a 9 year old (Gabe). We are so proud that he has just completed his PhD in Educational Administration. We love to travel – have a RV and travel all around the US and Canada, often taking the grandchildren to learn about the wonderful, fantastic country.
I’ve kept up with some of my Myers Park buddies and last year reunited with my best friends through the marvels of the Internet. Then, we met for a day, just like we had never been apart. Now, I’m looking forward to seeing so many others from my childhood and youth at our reunion in October.
Jan Wuertenberger Blackford
Sausalito, CA
Jan.blackford@att.net
After graduation from Wake Forest, marriage and divorce, and a career start in banking with Wachovia, married Franklin Blackford, father of two children. Still with Wachovia, moved to Greensboro, was elected Senior Vice President in 1983. Dropped out from 1987-89 to cruise with Franklin on our 32 foot sloop. When we came back, began consulting on credit risk assessment and credit policy, a pursuit that brought us to Sausalito in 1996 with a financial services consulting and training company. Now happily retired, enjoying grandchildren, travel, and cycling.
Sausalito, CA
Jan.blackford@att.net
After graduation from Wake Forest, marriage and divorce, and a career start in banking with Wachovia, married Franklin Blackford, father of two children. Still with Wachovia, moved to Greensboro, was elected Senior Vice President in 1983. Dropped out from 1987-89 to cruise with Franklin on our 32 foot sloop. When we came back, began consulting on credit risk assessment and credit policy, a pursuit that brought us to Sausalito in 1996 with a financial services consulting and training company. Now happily retired, enjoying grandchildren, travel, and cycling.
Hope Zaccagni
Alfred NY
hopesart@gmail.com
Professional artist. (painter) Adjunct faculty School of Art & Design, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University
Husband (for 34 years): Keith Gregory, Technical Specialist/Sales, Vestal Asphalt, Binghamton, NY Two grown kids: Seth Gregory (unmarried, 32) and Spencer Isaacs (female, married, 30)
Alfred NY
hopesart@gmail.com
Professional artist. (painter) Adjunct faculty School of Art & Design, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University
Husband (for 34 years): Keith Gregory, Technical Specialist/Sales, Vestal Asphalt, Binghamton, NY Two grown kids: Seth Gregory (unmarried, 32) and Spencer Isaacs (female, married, 30)
