THIS IS SURRATTS FOUNDATION E-NOTICE 2006-2 OF FEBRUARY 1, 2006

Hello Hornets!

Here are some items that might be of interest:

1.  2K5 PHOTO BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Photo Book Coordinator, Gill Thompson Harry (71), the absolutely lovely Photo Book from the June 2005 events has arrived at the homes of those of us who ordered it.  We're really grateful to Gill for her efforts in coordinating all the logistics on this very nice keepsake, and for her excellent candid photos that are found throughout the Photo Book.  We're also indebted to Tom Shultz (71) for the great cover art for the Photo Book. (I was particularly thrilled to see the photos of the senior alum, Connie Middleton Hyde (36), and the senior faculty member, Vivian Bounds Edelen (Faculty 38 - 42), who were in attendance prominently featured in the Photo Book.)

2.  SEEKING LOST HORNETS.  Dick Duke (47), dickduke@umich.edu, is seeking info about Bob Roylance and Roland Voight, both of whom graduated from Surratts in the late 40s or early 50s.  Please send Dick an email if you have any information that might lead to Bob or Roland or members of their families.

3.  INSIDER INFO ON THE LATE, GREAT LINK WRAY.  I received this interesting email from Greg Laxton (81), who maintains a web site dedicated to Link: "Hey Henry:  If you feel it's worthy in your next e-Notice, on my website www.WraysShack3Tracks.com, under the "Link's Stomping Grounds" link, I have photos of a few places discussed in the most recent e-Notice - the 3 Track Shack, Wray's Market, etc..  If anyone has any old pictures of clubs, Link performances, remembrances, etc., I'd be happy to host them on the website.  The tribute event for Link is shaping up to be a great night - Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane, Anton Fig of the David Letterman Show Band and more are appearing.  And Sherry Wray (Surratts 68) will be there, too. Greg"

4.  HORNET DAUGHTER PERFORMS IN PASADENA.  I received this cool email from Frank Connors: "Hi Henry:  I read about the SHS band performing on a cruise is March.  I know they'll enjoy it.  My daughter is performing in the Tournament of Roses parade, on Jan 2. She is in the Fayetteville High School Marching Bulldog Band, and she will follow second behind the Grand Marshall - Sandra Day O'Connor.  Frank"

5.  HORNET WORKS FOR GOOD CAUSE.   I received this email from Laurie Taylor Gilman (68), roaddr23@yahoo.com.  (Laurie's work with the MD Missing Persons Network was featured in a nice article in the December 28 Calvert Recorder).  "Dear Henry:  The article from the Calvert Recorder has a few errors, gets the point across. I'll set the record straight because it does actually give a better understanding of what I am involved in.  About three years ago my husband and I purchased 113 acres in Vermont.  To get more familiar with what was happening there I began reading the local papers.  That is when I read about Brianna Maitland, the missing 17 year old with the same name as my mother's.  I joined the board on her website,  www.bringbrihome.org.  I was lucky enough to be in Vermont when her family held an 18th birthday celebration and I traveled the two hours to attend and met her parents and all her wonderful friends. She will be missing two year on March 19th if we can't find her before then.  As the article says, I then began looking at the missing and unidentified persons on the Maryland Missing Persons Network  www.marylandmissing.com.  This organization searches the net for unidentified remains in all states that my be a match to one of Maryland Missing. We are also affiliated with the  www.doenetwork.org, also known as International Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons. The Doe Network examines missing persons 1996 and prior and carries all the unidentifieds we have available in the database.  The North American Missing Persons Network, which is also an affiliate of The Doe Network, handles cases from 1996 to the Present.  The databases are added to constantly.  These networks all have area directors for each state, as well as a panel that reviews all submitted possible matches and votes whether to submit to Law Enforcement for them to check out. The area directors work very closely with LE. We also have media reps, and Maryland Missing is holding a Vigil May 25, 2006 for all the Maryland Missing and Unidentified.  We also give speeches, and try to educate as many LE Agencys as we can about what we do.  Kylen Johnson, the founder of Maryland Missing, has served on a task force about this problem as well as worked tirelessly to get the word out.  All of these groups are made up of volunteers from all over the world. Many of the members of Maryland Missing also volunteer with the other two networks as do I.  We can always use new eyes and ideas. I'm hoping maybe there are a few Surratts Alumni out there that would be interested in lending a hand.  It doesn't matter what you do in life. We have housewives, Home Depot workers, truck drivers and police officers, both active and retired. Everyone is welcome.  Since I was injured as a Paramedic and retired on disability this gives another way to help people.  Thanks, Laurie"

6.  ANOTHER GOOD HEALTH REMINDER.  I received this important reminder from Suzan Martz Holmquist (62): "Hi Henry:  I would like you to share the importance of an annual mammogram for all woman even in their thirties.  I have had one every year and in August, my mammogram found cancer.  I had a highly aggressive tumor and also "highly aggressive in situ cancer" which are small cancers that turn into big tumors if left undetected or not removed.  I had two surgeries this past summer and just finished seven weeks of daily radiation treatment to kill what they might not have removed or could be found during the surgeries.  Because the cancers  were found early and could only be spotted on a mammogram, I did not have to have a mastectomy or chemotherapy.  I had a lot of side effects from the radiation but it is sure a small price to pay for what type of other "treatment" I might have had to have if the cancer had not been detected so early.
 
During radiation I met young women in the early thirties and late twenties having breast cancer treatment.  Every woman should DEMAND a mammogram regardless of their age and if a doctor says you are "too young have breast cancer"; tell your doctor to check the literature.  No woman is too young and its good to get a start with a base line at least in the early thirties and then AT LEAST every two years if not every year have a mammogram.  My 33 year old daughter has already had several "abnormal" mammograms and is being watched carefully.
 
A self exam would not have found my cancer so if I had not been diligent on a yearly mammogram and not the every two years as it is suggested, I would not have found these cancers until they had gotten bigger and perhaps spread.  I am hopeful this will be it for cancer but now I must be even more diligent with followup.   So many woman are afraid to get a mammogram.  That fear MUST stop.  Its better to get the horrific news early in cancer then when its spread.  Suzan"

I hope all our female schoolmates will take heed of Suzan's good, and very personal, advice.

7.  SCENES FROM "A CHRISTMAS STORY"; KUDOS TO CLASS OF 52.  I received this cool email from Rick Smith (Crossland 71, but Tanglewood 63, etc.):  "Hi Henry:  I truly enjoy reading the Surrattsville e-Notices.  Some of the names bring back great memories, as in Norman Myers (66).  Norman was older than me, but had a younger brother named Kenny, and he and I had a spat.  Since I was armed with my BB gun, Kenny was soon screaming from a shot to the rear end. I, unfortunately, was the big loser here in that my father saw it all and proceeded to wrap my BB gun around a tree in my back yard.  Also, the real reason for my correspondence is that I was struck by something in your latest e-Notice about the $7,000 Memorial Fund in memory of Ron Mortimer (52) that the Class of 52 put together and donated to the band. I dont believe I ever met him, but what has struck me is the love, devotion and respect his former classmates have for him and love of music he has evidently has passed on to so many of his students! What a great memorial to a man to be remembered for so long by so many! We should all strive to touch so many lives in such a positive manner.  Regards, Rick"

[Ed. Note:  As I believe the line goes in "A Christmas Story", and as I heard my parents say a thousand times, "those things can put your eye out!"]

8.  ANOTHER IMPORTANT HEALTH TIP.  I received the following email from Erin Luckeydoo: "Dear Henry:  The month of November is a month of which I never want to revisit again in my lifetime. On November 8th, my husband had heart surgery to have a cardiac stent placed. He was 80 to 90 percent blocked. Thank God this was caught by a simple physical. Our primary care doctor noticed a difference in the strength of his pulse around his neck.  Regretfully, on November 16th, our son died (my stepson) from complications of diabetes.  Tony was 28 years of age. While returning tony to rest in Ohio, it afforded an opportunity to stop in Maryland and my how things have changed.  Yet again on November 29th, my husband had to have another stent placed for blockage in his leg which was 95 percent blocked.  The moral of this story is no matter your age, 55, 28 or even 15, have those physicals and establish a good relationship with your primary care physician. It will save your life. I will be forever grateful that my husband avoided a heart attack and was deeply saddened over our son's theory that he is invincible. You are now Tony!  Erin"

9.  CLASS OF 80 ORC SEEKS CLASSMATES.  Leigh Woodson Gabardini, bradleigh@adelphia.net, the Class of 80 ORC, is trying to reach Class of 80 members who might be interested in a reunion.  Please send Leigh an email if you're an interested Class of 80 member, or if you have asny information on how to contact any 80 grads or members of their families

10.  MORE HORNET MEMORIES.  I received these latest "colorful" memories from John Curry (60).  I know many of you have enjoyed John's prior vignettes about life in Clinton in those simpler, halcyon days!

Water Bombs

My high school friend and I had a summer job as ticket takers at a DC parking garage. It was a way of making money but not very interesting. We soon discover a small elevator system used by the car attendants for quickly going between floors. We used this elevator system to go up to the roof during our lunch break and watch the world go by down on the street. Our lunch refreshment included cups of water, the kind drawn from a bottled water dispenser. They consisted of flimsy inverted paper cone-shaped containers that were difficult to carry. At some point we began to track the path of pedestrians down below on the street with a cup of water held up to our eye. What harm could there be in dropping one measly cup of water on an unsuspecting target in order to discover the results?  The cup was dropped!  We jumped back from view but the total effect was missing because we never saw the results.  The next several cups of water were dropped while we leaned over the edge of the roof wall and to our amazement no one looked up as the cup and contents splattered on the pavement.  They stood in place and looked all around except in the apparent direction from which the missile had come.  Now several trips were required up and down six stories to obtain two cups each and perfect our bombing techniques.  Luckily no one was hit and we soon tired of the diversion; that is, until the local rag picker appeared. He came confidently down the street pushing his cart and we took careful aim.  Cups away!  The missiles impacted on the street just as before but now our target immediately looked up, shook his fist and muttered something. We smiled and waved to him and were surprised that he was the only person to determine where to look.

John the Monkey

We owned a small monkey who was an interesting pet and a great tease. We would attach a long lightweight chain leash to his collar and take him for walks around our yard. Somehow it was decided to fasten the end of his leash to our clothes line and allow him some free range without constant supervision. This practice seemed to work well until one day a stray dog spotted John the monkey. I was in the kitchen and saw the dog bounding up the driveway heading straight for John. There was no time to get outside and save his little brown hide from sure disaster. To my surprise John just grabbed the leash and climbed hand over hand up to the clothes line and proceeded to run the length of the line with the dog growling and wildly jumping up attempting to grab him. All this commotion brought more of the family into the kitchen to watch John and the dog. We decided to stay put and watch the outcome of this struggle because it appeared one-sided from the start. After much barking, growling and repeated jumps toward his quarry the dog tired and sat down under the clothes line to rest. John the monkey now saw his opportunity and slowly lowered himself down the leash so he was hovering just above the dogs head. The dog saw his target back within reach and renewed the struggle. This attack, retreat and frantic lunges continued for some time with the same results, the dog sitting there regaining his breath and the monkey running to and fro along the clothes line. John took the contest to the next level as he lowered himself, upside down holding onto the leash with one hand and dangling the other hand just above the dogs head. This brought on several more desperate lunges by the dog and of course monkey retreats. At this point the dog was completely demoralized and once again sat down while ignoring Johns antics. After a few minutes the dog got up and trotted off down the driveway never to return. We then brought John into the house and never again worried about his safety in the harsh environment of our back yard.

[Ed. Note: As always, don't try John's stories at home!]

11.  HORNET'S ART FEATURED IN FACULTY SHOW.  I'm delighted to report that the beautiful artwork of our Photo Book Coordinator Gill Thompson Harry (71) will soon be featured in a Faculty Art Show at the University of MD University College.  Here are the details: University of Maryland University College, Feb. 2 - March 5, opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 2

(Gill's lovely art can also be seen on her website at www.penquinn.com/gillian.)


I hope this finds you all staying warm and enjoying a great start to your Februarys!

Henry Smith (71), hsmith@smithdowney.com


MANY THANKS TO THIS (VERY EARLY!) 2006 CAMPAIGN DONORS!

Steve Profilet (71)



AND 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)
Janet Goddard Sullivan (54)
Ellen Talbert-Miller (61 and Faculty)
Margaret Harris (Faculty)
Patrick McMenamin (71)
Helen Bovbjerg Niedung (54)
Ginger Trapanotto (64)
Susan Stephenson Szymanski (66), In Memory of Ted Stephenson (69)
Coach Lew Jenkins (Faculty)
Anne Noyes (Faculty)
Mike Gifford (84)
Vicky (Simontacchi) Young (57)
Denise Hope (72)
Florence Blume Middleton (55)
Anonymous, In Memory of Col. F. R. O'Clair
Dan Bayne (71)
Michelle Wilson Block (68), In Memory of Danny Vaughan (68)
Richard Neilan (82), In Memory of Charlie Waddell
Vicky Simontacchi Young (57), In Memory of Carole Townsend Day (58)
Brenda Karnes (Faculty), In Memory of Col. Joe O'Clair, Parent Booster Extraordinaire
Gloria Blandford Rickett (71)
J. Paul Rickett (69)
Paul Monaghan (59)
Melissa Gilcrest (69), In Memory of Robert Allen Gilcrest
Richard Scott McWhirt (71)
Homer Revis (56)
Joan Penn Revis (61)
Charlie Stinger Cooper (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Charles Sellner (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Betty Ziegler Anderson (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Malcolm Graham (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Glen Pyles (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Joan Seaman Wilson (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Sam Wood (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Darda Heal (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Ann Russell Theunissen (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Martha Weirich McNeill (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
June Burgess Readen (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Janet England McFarland (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Ellen Mowry Wright (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
James Ripple (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Karl McKinney (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Diana Hermann Wolff (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Shirley Amman Eppard (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Wayne Peters (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund
Vernon Creamer (52), For the Ron Mortimer Memorial Music Dept. Fund