Hi Everyone,

 

As a lot of you know, I taught in the elementary schools for 26 years and then became a principal the last 5 years before retirement in 1997.  I love children and the excitement they give to me.  In 2005 my husband and I sold my old home place where I grew up from the age of 5 years.  We had lived there since moving back to Ohio in 1980.  My mother remarried and moved away leaving us the house.

Since moving from Ohio in September 2005, a lot has happened.  Rich and I moved to Midlothian, VA to be close to our son and family.  Midlothian is just a little southwest of Richmond.  It is a beautiful state and there is so much to do and see here.  As a lot of you already know, my husband became very ill after we moved here.  He got kidney cancer (two kinds) and it metastasized very quickly.  He passed away on Sept. 15, 2006.  I miss him very much, but my family and church have filled my life with much happiness.  I have made many friends here and belong to a wonderful church (New Venture Christian) and was baptized just one week after my husband accepted the Lord and was baptized.  It was such a blessing to us both. 

I transport my grandson to school each morning and pick up my granddaughter and grandson each day.  I love being in their lives.  My son, Scott, is an engineer with Infilco Degremont (waste water filtering company) and travels all over the US to look at job sites and help replace old equipment.  My daughter-in-law, Sharon, teaches pre-school (Special Ed.).  My granddaughter, Savannah is in 6th grade and Spencer, my grandson, is in 2nd.

My daughter and family live in Franklin, TN and my son-in-law writes songs for Alison Kraus and Alan Jackson.  I just spent Christmas vacation with them last December.  I have two grandchildren there too, John who is in 7th grade and Cecilia who is in 2nd.  What a blessing grandchildren are.

I have been kept busy with a lot of volunteer work at the Pregnancy Resource Center of Richmond.  I had to go through a lot of training beforehand.  I will be training a group of people from our church in an abstinence program for teens (KISSN - Keep It Simple, Say No).  It is a 4-week program which get teens involved in activities that really teaches them about good choices in this day and age of so many sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs).  When 1 in 4 teens have at least 1-2 STDs, that is pretty scary.

I also work part time as a leasing agent at The Park at Salisbury where I live.  I love it here and the people are so friendly.  I have a gorgeous view from my patio.  Take a look - just go to www.theparkatsalisbury.com and take a tour of the complex.

I do Mystery Shopping for companies who want to find out more about their employees and how well the business is being run.  I get to eat and shop at some really fancy places for free and get paid for doing it.

I try to work in some substituting at my granddaughter's school once in awhile.

I love life and the fact that Jesus Christ is the greater part of it.  I plan on returning to Ohio for our 50th class reunion, God willing.

It is great what you are doing Judy, keeping us all in touch with our classmates.  I love reading about everyone and what they are doing now.

Congratulations Sondra!  We are all cheering for you and your award. 

Best to everyone, 

 

Linda Brackney Spradlin

(1) Cecelia and John with Grandma; (2) a current photo; (3) Son Scott, Sharon, Savannah, Spencer

 

Thanks so much for writing, Linda.  All of us love to read our classmates' stories, and we'll see you at the 50th!

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Speaking of Sondra Flowers Hopper, the SAMMIs have been awarded and the winner is......

Hi Judy,

Just wanted to let you know that I won the Sammi Award on Saturday night.  It was like being at the Academy Awards.  The high-school auditorium was packed and the whole event went just like the presentations at the Academy Awards.  They even had pretty, young girls on stage to escort the winners to the podium where we gave acceptance speeches.  It was so much fun.  I had a huge rooting section and they cheered like crazy when my name and picture appeared on the screen.  It was just such a memorable evening.  My family, the 5 grandkids, friends, students and parents were all in attendance.

When I got home I found red carpet up the front steps to the front door with large silver stars on the door, ribbons streaming, and a sign saying, "We are rolling out the red carpet.  Congratulations, Mrs. Hopper."  Inside the sign were silver envelopes--each with a hand-written notes from each student and their parents, too.  That was so heart-warming.  Some of the notes brought me to tears.

On Sunday, two of my students placed in the annual piano competition.  My 7th grade boy won 2nd in the Juniors Division, and my freshman boy won 2nd in the Senior Division.  This was a weekend I will never forget--that's for sure!  When I get a chance I will try sending some pictures.

Thanks!

Sondra Hopper

P.S.  Here is what the award is for in the ARTS:  "This award is given to someone who enriches the arts by spreading enthusiasm, promoting awareness, and helping create a rich, cultural environment for our community."

 

Congratulations from the class, too, Sondra!  What a wonderful, exciting acknowledgement.  The photos did arrive and can be seen by clicking here.

 

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SAD NEWS

 

Karen Oller George lost her husband, John, on March 1 following a long battle with emphysema.

 

GOOD NEWS

 

Sue Donovan Mooney was released from the hospital on Friday the 13th, which was a very good day.

Greetings One and All,

Friday the 13th of March will be a great day for Carolyn Sue Mooney.  According to the doctor in charge of her care at the James, Sue will be discharged!!!  After 33 days in the hospital, all three viruses are in negative figures, but especially the CMV which was the most dangerous.  Sue's energy level is still very low, and she will need quite a bit of rehab to strengthen her lungs and legs.  However, she continues to be very positive and upbeat about the days ahead.  It will be good to have her back in her apartment.  It also looks good for our trip, perhaps in late March into early April.  After such a long hospital stay, such a trip will do us both a lot of good.  May God shine his love on all of you for your prayers, thoughts, cards, and e-mails.   

Tom Mori

 

Good Morning,

Sue and I made our weekly trip to the James for her regular checkup on 3/18.  These trips usually take about 4 hours, what with blood draws, waiting for those results, visits with various nurses, and then with her primary bone marrow transplant doctor.  When asked whether we should plan on the trip to Florida, that Dr. told Sue that in her opinion, the trip was MANDATORY!  The doctor wants Sue to take this trip.  I love that doctor.   

Sue continues to be quite weak, but is getting a little strength each day.  She is eating better now that she is at home and my cooking is a whole lot better than the OSU hospital food.  In addition, Sue is working out some down in the exercise room here at Thurber.  (She only does the New Step machine at this time.)  Hence our plan now is to leave next Wednesday after her appointment with the medical team in the AM (March 25), and return from Florida on April 7th.  The husband in the couple we stay with down there is a medical doctor, so that helps.  It will be good for Sue to have a big change of pace with lots of sun, sand, and ocean breezes.  Of course I'll enjoy playing golf every day while there.  Stay well.  Stay positive about your future.  Stay connected with your family and friends.

Sue's Caregiver, Tom Mori

Betsey Ingraham Rhame has an announcement.   Granddaughter Sally Rose was born on January 12 to daughter Lara and her husband Josh.  Betsey's daughter Caroline and her husband Damion had a daughter, Clara June, in November 07.  Betsey adores being a grandma to her two little girls.  Congratulations to all, Betsey.  She is a little beauty, and so alert for being just hours old!  She likes you already.

 

           

 

 

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THE DONOVAN-SCOTT FLORIDA ADVENTURE

 

Becky Ross Donovan and Sally Jo Scott Scott (I love saying that) met in Florida for a brief vacation.  Here are their stories.

Scottie and I went to Florida to visit my aunt in January instead of our usual visit to Ohio in September. Our decision to visit Florida was not what Becky wanted to hear, so my aunt was gracious enough to invite Becky and Jerry to “come on down” for a few days while Scottie and I were there.  Now we all know that the Donovans don’t travel all that often and I must admit that I was thrilled and surprised that they accepted my aunt’s generous offer.  We had such a nice visit and even though it was only for three days, we were able to show Becky and Jerry the beautiful area.  As you can see by the pictures, the gentle Florida wind offered the perfect camouflage for their getaway and that, joined by a trip to the gulf where Becky ended up with a purse and shoe full of sand and salt water, just added to the fun.  You will need to ask Becky and Jerry for the details of their adventure before and after their visit with us. I know they took a trip to the Everglades and took an air boat ride, saw Cape Canaveral, and stopped off to see other friends.  My best to you and all.

Sally Jo

 

In January, Jerry and I drove to Bradenton, Florida to meet Sally Jo Scott and her husband, Roger, at the home of her aunt, Marsena Scott (Tanglewood Golf Course Scott).  Marsena is a good friend of ours and Sally usually visits her at her Delaware home in September every year.  This year Sally decided to visit her in Florida and Marsena invited us to come at the same time.  Sally and Roger flew in from Seattle and stayed with Marsena about a week before we got there.  We drove down leisurely, did some sightseeing along the way and then stayed three days with Sally.  We enjoyed visiting the Lipizzaners’ farm, the flea markets and the beautiful gardens.  Sally and Roger flew back to Seattle and Jerry and I went on to visit many more friends wintering in Florida.  We went across the Everglades and up the east coast stopping to visit friends, relatives and tourist attractions along the way.  It was such a great vacation to be able to meet up with such good friends.  Sally and I are already planning our next adventure!
Becky

 

Jerry and Becky Donovan, Sally and Scottie Scott

 

Jerry and Becky must have run out of sunscreen

 

 

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JUST FOR FUN

 

No matter how many times you have flown commercial airlines, I am willing to wager that you have never heard safety instructions like this.

 

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CHALLENGE

 

All right, you guys!  This was an all-gal issue.  Surely you fellows have done something interesting, amusing, enlightening, or educational over the last months.  You can't have spent the entire winter in front of the TV.  Consider the gauntlet thrown.  Let me hear from you, even if you just report the NCAA March Madness scores!

 

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LATE BREAKING NEWS

 

Ray R. Middleton died at Grady Memorial Hospital home on March 28, 2009.  His obituary is posted on the Local News page.  Condolences may be expressed at www.rodmanneeper.com.

 

 

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

 

Don Robinson

Sondra Parks Davis 

Mary Ann Wareham Knabe

Dallas Evans

Tom Schmick 

Judy Myers Rosebrough

Kate Burdette Stults

Sue Donovan Mooney 

Liz Amick Murtfeldt

 

These birthdays were listed in the class directory.  If I have overlooked anyone, please let me know.

 

Judy Myers Rosebrough