THIS IS SURRATTS FOUNDATION E-NOTICE 2006-1 OF JANUARY 1, 2006

Hello Hornets:

Here are some items that may be of interest:

1.  CLASS OF 52 MAKES EXTRAORDINARY GIFT.  I am very excited to report that the smallish B but powerful B Class of 52 made an extraordinary gift of $7,000 to the Surratts Music Department (through the auspices of the Foundation) at a lovely ceremony in December.  The Class of 52 made this gift in memory of the late Ron Mortimer (52), who was not only a dedicated supporter of the Foundation, but also a great lover of music.  Kudos go to Class members Charlie Cooper, Martha Weirich McNeill and June Burgess Readen for spearheading this very special fund raising effort in Ron's memory, and to those many Class members listed below who contributed to this wonderful effort!

2.  MORE ON THE LATE, GREAT LINK WRAY.  I received the following interesting emails in response to the item about Link Wray's death in the last e-Notice:

"Hi Henry: Don't forget that the Wray family ran Wray's market in Accokeek, next to the post office, in the late 60s. I believe Wray's Shack 3 Tracks studio was in Accokeek as well.  Steve Finney (71)"

"Hi Henry:  Sherry Lynn Wray (Link Wray's niece) graduated from Surrattsville in 1968.  She was Vernon Wray's daughter. Her brother Vernon Jr. drowned in the summer of 1967.  Pattie"

"Hi Henry:  There's a huge Link Wray tribute event planned on the January 15th weekend.  For info, see www.dc‑rock‑and‑roll.org.  Greg Laxton (81)."

3.  NEW PHOTOS ON WEB SITE.  The Foundation's web site (www.surrattsville.org) now features some great new photos, taken by Gerda Willkomm Parr (68) at the wonderful 68-73 Reunion event organized by Gerda, Nila Toribio Straka (68) and Leslie St. Clair (70) and held at the Capital Clubhouse during the June 2005 events weekend.

4.  CONGRATS TO A SUPERLATIVE HORNET TEACHER!  I received this nice email from proud husband Tony King (74): "Hey Henry: Just wanted to jot a note about my wife (Kim Ellis  76).  She was selected Maryland Math Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  She was a 6th grade middle school math teacher at John Hanson Middle School in Waldorf, Maryland, but since has been promoted to administration at Milton Somers Middle School in LaPlata, MD.  Tony"   Congratulations to Kim on this outstanding achievement!

5.  BONUS BUCKS FOR SURRATTS.  I received this email from PTSA President (and Surrattstock II performer) Patricia Smith-Brim: "Hello Surrattsville High School Family:  It's time to sign up once again to earn cash for Surrattsville High School.  If you shop at any Giant food store, you can help.  Just click this link http://www.giantfood.com/aplus/aplus_pin.htm and designate SHS as one of your schools.  Our school code is 00442.  Please remember, if you designated a school last year, you must re‑designate your school this year.  From October 2, 2005 ‑ April 1, 2006, every time you shop with your BonusCard, you'll be helping your school earn cash.  Results are posted monthly on the Giant website: www.giantfood.com.

I hope many of you who shop at Giant will designate Surratts as your "Bonus Bucks" school.

6.  HORNET BAND TO PERFORM IN THE BAHAMAS.  PTSA President Patricia Smith-Brim also passed this cool item along: "Hello Henry: The SHS Marching Hornets will be performing on a cruise to Bahamas in March.  Check out www.surrattsvillebands.com for more info.  Patricia"

7.  SEEKING LOST HORNETS.  Charlie Cooper (52), ilccjc@aol.com, is seeking information on the whereabouts of two of his classmates, Joe Withers and Frank Scandone.  Please send Charlie an email if you have any information about Joe or Frank (or members of their families).

8.  A REMINDER TO LOOK AFTER OUR HEALTH.  I received this email from Foundation Archivist Shelby Lee Oppermann (79): "Hi Henry:  I hope your holidays have been wonderful.  We are trying to enjoy everything more than normal.  My husband Robert, who you met at the reunion and at the first Surrattstock, had a severe heart attack on Nov. 21st, and spent a week recovering in the Washington Hospital Center.  He now is in cardiac re‑hab three times a week to make his heart stronger.  If you remember, he is a big, strong jock, so this has been a real shock to his psyche.  He tells all his friends now that a stress test is not enough ‑ it doesn't show blockages and such.  So, Henry, please encourage everyone to get regular, thorough cardiac check-ups.  We've had three other friends who had heart attacks within that three‑week span. Happy New Year, Shelby" 

Heartfelt get well wishes to Robert, and thanks to him and Shelby for sharing this thoughtful, and important, reminder.

9.  HORNET BASSO PROFUNDO FEATURED AT UPCOMING EVENT.  On a happier note, Shelby also share with me the news that one of Surrattsville's most accomplished musicians, bassist John Previti (72), and his jazz trio will be performing a free concert at Chopticon High School, in the auditorium, on Saturday January 14, at 5 p.m.  Information is available at 301-475-2886.  (The flyer for the event reminds us that "John Previti is one of the Washington area's premiuer jazz musicians".)

10.   SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR 2006 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS.  The Foundation is now seeking nominations for its 2006 Achievement Awards.  Please send me an email at hsmith@smithdowney.com  f you'd like to nominate a member of the Surratts community for one of these awards.  (Photos and bios of the absolutely outstanding 2000 - 2005 Achievement Award recipients are featured on the Foundation's web site at www.surrattsville.org.)

11.  SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR 2006 -2007 FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  We're seeking volunteers to serve on the Foundation's Board for the March 2006 - February 2007  term.  The Board meets several times a year (phone-in participation is available for out-of-towners) to transact the Foundation's business.  If you'd like to volunteer to relieve one of the Foundation's Board members B many of whom have served continuously since the Foundation was formed in March 2000 B please send me an email at hsmith@smithdowney.com.

12.  MANY THANKS TO 2005 CAMPAIGN DONORS!  Many thanks to the many of you listed below who kindly contributed to the Foundation's 2005 Annual Campaign.  Inspired by the great efforts of the Class of 52 described above, the 2005 Annual Campaign was one of the most successful yet.  The funds raised during the Campaign have replenished the Foundation's scholarship funds, and provided funds for other Foundation efforts.

Here's hoping 2006 is your best year yet!

All the best, Henry Smith (71), hsmith@smithdowney.com

IN MEMORIAM

CAROLE ELIZABETH FRYE AMMANN died on August 9, 2005.   Carole was a Surrattsville graduate, and the mother of Bob Ammann (71).

NANCY BIFFLE ALLBRITTON (81) died on August 27, 2005.  Nancy had been living in Ft. Myers, FL with her daughter Samantha, and became sick with pneumonia and died very quickly.  Nancy is survived by her daughter, Jim Biffle (67), Donna Biffle Crandall (69), Linda Biffle Dumais (72), Karen Biffle Turner (74), Diane Biffle (77), and her dad, Harold Biffle, who still lives in Clinton.

MANY THANKS TO THESE 2005 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN DONORS!

Steve Profilet (71)
Bill Harris (71)
Donna Rae Sturtevant Smith (70)
Henry Smith (71)
Teri Pepper Dimsey (77)
Pat Becker Oles (71)
Charles Perrygo (71), In Memory of Steve Kurtz (71)
Sandy Evans Lyon (66), For the Oral History Project
Norm Carmichael (65)
Linda Dorsey Blum (66)
Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. (60)
Nancy Oursler Maynard (65)