Don Slater Honored As Most Admired - Posted January 13, 2003

It Had Been 45 Years - Posted January 18, 2003

To make the trip even more memorable, Julane Conrad Berridge and her husband, Ken, stopped in Severy, which they do often, to visit. They then went on to Missouri to see other friends. On the way back they thought they might swing by Severy and spend the night. They were pleasantly surprised to find Pat Matthews Gillis there. As Julane mentioned in a message to Jan Carlson Journey, “I have not been out of contact with Pat Gillis over the years, but haven’t seen her in person since Ken’s and my wedding 45 years ago. It was wonderful for three old ‘57ers to see each other again in person and go over old times.”

Don Slater and the Library - Posted December 16, 2003

This article was sent to us by Pat Duncan, MHS class of '59, who received it from Fred Atchinson, the Library Columnist for the Manhattan Mercury. Our sincere thanks to Pat for implementing the donation to this site, and Fred Atchinson for providing it.

Book Page

Fred D. Atchison, Jr.

December 7, 2003

Some Place Special

There are many reasons libraries have come to play a special role in our culture. One of those reasons is that libraries reflect the best of our values and aspirations. Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity to talk with Deborah Hopkinson, a visiting writer who was in town as a part of the Listening to the Prairie Exhibit celebration at Hale library. Hopkinson is the author of a number of critically acclaimed children’s books like Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt and Birdie’s Lighthouse. Her works also include a “read for chapters” series set in territorial Kansas. She has a talent for telling a great story and providing an interesting and accurate historical setting.

As we talked about kids and education the topic turned to public libraries. She shared her own early experience of going to the public library and then she asked me if I had ever read Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia McKissack. The story is about a young black girl growing up in the South in the 1950’s. The girl’s grandmother has decided the girl is old enough to venture out by herself. This is the girl’s first trip outside of her protected neighborhood and into a very segregated city. She is excited and amazed by what she sees, but the sweetness of that day is marred by a code that requires her to sit in the back of the bus and denies her the use of a bench in city park. When an ugly incident sends her home in tears her grandmother comforts her and insists that she attempt the trip again. This time the girl makes it to the special place-the public library. In the late 1950’s the Nashville, Tennessee Public Library board quietly voted to integrate the library, Hopkinson explained.

The story sounded familiar. I told her about hearing the same kind of story at a recent city commission meeting. I told her about how at a meeting in September that the library was on the agenda and that one of the speakers was a man named Don Slater. I told her that Don was one of those people that doesn’t know a stranger. I had met him years ago when he was making arrangements to bring kids to the library from the Hand-to-Hand tutoring program. Don is a passionate volunteer assistant director and advocate for that program. Hand-to-Hand provides volunteer tutors for free tutoring sessions open to the public Monday through Thursday evenings down at Douglass Center.

Don is the kind of guy who will go anywhere and do anything for Hand-to Hand. He loves the kids and is devoted to the volunteers and MaryAnn Cullers, the program director. When I encounter Don in the library, which happens frequently, he sees me coming and he turns to the closest library staff and in a loud and enthusiastic voice tells them what great work they are doing and how he hopes that they are getting the raises they deserve. Of course, the staff love it.

When Don stepped up to speak at the meeting he introduced himself as a man of few words which got a good laugh. Then Don got serious and told about his own experience of growing up black in Manhattan, Kansas. “There were places I couldn’t go and things I couldn’t do.” said Don “But I could go to the library and check-out books.” Don went on and talked about the importance of library service, especially to economically disadvantaged citizens. It was a powerful personal statement that moved all who heard it. It made me think about the consequences of the decisions we make and how those consequences good or bad extend from one generation to the next.

Later I found Patricia McKissack’s book in the library. It is a wonderful story beautifully illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Both McKissack and Pinkney are Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Award winners. In an author’s note McKissack explains that the book is really her story. She was twelve years old when she took that trip to the Nashville Public Library. She remembered: “I had been fortified with enough love, respect and pride to overcome any situation I encountered. Along the way, I had to face all kinds of racial bigotry and discrimination. But, for me, the library was always filled with a specialness that made the effort worthwhile. Since I felt welcomed there, I checked out books more often. And the more I read, the better I understood why my grandmother believed that the library was someplace more exciting, more interesting and more informative than hotels, movies, restaurants, and amusement parks.” For Patricia McKissack reading became the doorway to freedom.

Libraries provide access to the cultural riches of our nation and our local communities. By doing so, libraries model democracy. Don Slater’s and Patricia McKissack’s personal stories affirm that truth.

The Three Musketeer's - Posted December 11, 2003

Here is a tale of three fellows who we all know well, and who, after four a half decades, still find something special in their reunions.

Click on picture to enlarge image

Here is their rendition of that reunion.

The Hibachi Hut is still here in Aggieville and that is where we ate. They still serve Cajun food, but not all of Pat's old favorites.

We talked as we passed old City Park and were sorry that the little creek and old fountain were no longer there. The park is pretty much the same with Jesse Baker’s (Cookie League) baseball field, the City swimming pool; and the playground we all enjoyed is still there next to the Rose Garden. They no longer flood the sunken SE corner for ice skating like they did in our era.

We walked Aggieville and talked about some of the old places. Kites is still at the basic old location, and has many old 1956/57 athletic pictures on the wall including Sonny Ballard, Steve Douglas, Mose Richardson and Charlie Hostetler, to name a few. We stuck our heads in the old barber shop run by Ding and was it Cooney? Nothing had changed except the barber chairs were newer.

We longed for the Orange Bowl and the great hotdogs that smelled so good with every thing on them, and then walked up to the old movie theatre (now part of Varney’s Bookstore) where we went in and reviewed the historic displays of Aggieville over the years. This helped our memories and settled a couple of arguments as to which stores went where.

We did finally agree on the old locations of the Gilman candy store and Dooley's jewelers, but where was the old Mar’s Café, and Backman's Sporting Goods? The old furniture store, where Johnnie Bob King hung out, is now a vacant lot, and Blaker’s Studio Royal, where we always took our class picture, is now a barbecue place.

We talked about the good old days, and some of the stunts we had pulled and wish we wouldn't have, old girlfriends, athletics, teachers and even shared a few Charlie Robinson and Larry Chartier stories. We thoroughly enjoyed the day and the football game.

We decided that even though Manhattan had grown, and changed, many things that brought back memories for us still remain. In fact, it seemed just like yesterday and time had stood still.

Fish         

Claire Fryer Farris Passes Away - Posted December 1, 2003

The following is the obituary from the Manhattan Mercury.

Claire (Fryer) Farris, 64, Atchison, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at her home.
She was born Aug. 5, 1939, in Ames, Iowa. She attended grade school in Manhattan and graduated from Manhattan High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in bacteriology from Kansas State University.

She married J. David Farris on May 27, 1961, in Manhattan. They moved to Atchison in 1969 from Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

She was a housewife and homemaker and had worked as an office manager and paralegal for the J. David Farris Law Office for 18 years.

Mrs. Farris was a member of the Bellevue Country Club, a past president of the Ladies Golf Association, and enjoyed playing golf. She was past president of the Atchison Hospital Auxiliary, and served on the Atchison YMCA Board of Directors. Her family says she enjoyed both water and snow skiing, boating, traveling, walking, running, and aerobic exercise, and she especially enjoyed her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, of the home; a son, Mathew A. Farris, Dallas, Tex.; two daughters, Sara L. Moreano and her husband Phillip, Lawrence, and Rebecca L. Petkus and her husband Bret, Chicago, Ill.; a sister, Gaye Badeker, Alma; and four grandchildren.

Private family graveside services and burial of cremated remains will be on Wednesday at the Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Garden, Atchison. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Becker-Dye-Stanton Funeral Home in Atchison. Memorials are suggested to the Atchison Humane Society, Atchison YMCA, or the Atchison Hospital Hospice.

When hearing of Claire's passing, our classmates wrote and said:

I am so very sorry to hear that!   She remains a spirited 16 year old in mind! 

Kathrine Stacey Baxter.

I feel badly about Claire...she was a very special person.

Dave Fiser

I am so sorry to hear of Claire's passing.

Marlene (McNeil) Nielsen

What a sad, sad, day. She was so special.

Owen Sherman

I was so sorry to hear about Claire.

Annette (Maxwell) Pacilio

I am so sorry to hear of Claire's passing.  I will always remember her as our
beautiful Blue-M Queen and the editor of the yearbook.  She had class. 

Mary F. (Clark) Brent

Seeing the obituary on Claire Fryer Ferris was another reminder that we (classmates) are all getting older; time marches on and stops for no one. My sympathy to her family and friends.

Dixie Eastman Huntington

I have so many happy memories of our Blue M Queen!  She was brilliant and beautiful.  My heart aches for her family.

Jane (Jacobson) McKim

I was surprised and saddened to learn of Claire Fryer's passing.  She was a lovely, talented woman and will be missed by all who knew her. 

David Long

It is that part of life which we don't understand but must acknowledge.  Claire was a fine person, who deserved the best.  It would appear she gave much to society and her family.  May the Lord comfort those close to her at this time.

Sincerely;  Larry and Donna Gier

I was sorry to hear of Claire's passing, she was always good to me, and any meeting made me feel nice and somewhat special. A natural was our Claire. In agreement with Mary Francis she was indeed a class act.

Jimmie Beals

So sorry to hear about Claire's passing. Her spirit has been on my mind since reading the notice. She will always be the Blue M Queen, in my memory. Guess that is God's kind way of helping us deal with this as we begin to accept that we are here for only a short time!

Judy Heywood Curtis

Ray Fort - Posted November 12, 2003

Ray E. Fort was a unique individual. I don't know of a person who knew him that didn't like him. Most of our age group who knew Ray met him through scouting. He was a champion for the boys in Troop 74 to look up to, and a lifelong friend to many thereafter.

Tom Dunn found an obituary for Ray recently and was shocked to learn of his passing. Ray and Tom had a great relationship that lasted since the days of Troop 74. 

Paul Hildebrecht and I were members of Troop 74, and also worked for Ray at Rock Springs Ranch two summers. He was a great leader while in scouting, and a wonderful person with whom to work. 

Ray traveled all over the Middle East, and the last time I saw him was at a KSU football game when Tom Dunn arranged a get together.  He tried hard to convince me to go to Mongolia with him and do some fishing.  I wish I could have gone.

Ray's last assignment was in Afghanistan for the Department of Agriculture. Whether this contributed to his death, we don't know.  We do know he will be missed by all who knew him, and he will never be forgotten.

Truth or Fiction? - Posted October 27, 2003

We received an unsolicited e-mail telling of a sure fire way to beat computer related viruses that attack through your e-mail. The e-mail said that all you had to do was place an e-mail address that looked like, well click here and read the whole story. It turns out to be a bunch of hooey. How do we know?  Well, there is a web site: www.truthorfiction.com that deals with this very subject, plus a whole lot more. It does carry a list of computer viruses and you can check to see which are for real and which are not.

The medical bill paid by a glass of milk is true, and you will find it under Medical in the story listings at the Truth or Fiction web site.

Also, there are dozens of stories categorized and labeled Fiction or Truth or Unproven. The site is very interesting, especially if you have received various stories via e-mail over the years and have wondered about the authenticity. Be warned, however, that you can get caught up reading the different stories, whether Truth or Fiction.

P.S.  Remember this picture of Hurricane Isabel? 

Searching For Classmates - Posted October 26, 2003

As mentioned, The Kazoo, which is a downsized version of The Bugle, will be coming to you soon. Also included will be a new Class Directory, and a form that will be used for your personal biography in the 50th Anniversary Blue M. This form will also be used to confirm or update your information in  the Class Directory.

Your classmates planning the 50th Reunion, and the Blue M, are also asking for assistance in locating classmates with whom we have lost contact over the years. This is a large undertaking, and any assistance will be of tremendous benefit. If you can lend a hand, please contact Jan Carlson Journey at: jabberj@interkan.net

Christmas Party - Posted October 26, 2003 (Reprinted from The Kazoo)

Several years ago the idea of a Christmas party was discussed among a group of classmates who thought it would be a nice thing to have a party during the holiday season since several of our classmates come back to Manhattan to visit family. The years sped by and the Christmas party idea was never implemented.

Manhattan Memories - Posted October 7, 2003

The idea to place elementary school pictures at this site probably began with Sharon Stover Aldridge during the last reunion when she put up pictures at our hospitality room.  Then Jan Carlson Journey, who helps with this site, The Bugle and about every thing else, went to the Roosevelt Elementary School 80th Birthday Party, and then supplied the site with pictures. Shortly thereafter Owen Sherman sent us pictures of Bluemont and Woodrow Wilson classes, followed by others from Annette Maxwell Pacilio and Josette Maxwell.  Don Slater got a hold of Richard Fulghem and we received pictures of Douglass School classes. 

Dave Fiser has dug up his Eugene Field pictures, and Donna Warfield Gier has supplied us with the remainder of the Woodrow Wilson classes.  We are on a roll!

The pictures we don't have posted will be a.s.a.p.  Some are in the process of being copied, others yours truly hasn't had time to scan and post, but it will all be done in the next few weeks.  To make this truly meaningful, we need your help with names.  As surprising as it may seem, a few of us have changed.  Plus, there are classmates who moved after a short period of time in Manhattan.

These same pictures will be part of a very large Manhattan Memories display at the 50th reunion's hospitality room, and a few will be in the 50th Anniversary Blue M.

Burma Shave - Posted August 10, 2003

For those of you who never saw the Burma Shave signs, here is a quick lesson in our history of the 1930s and 1940s. Before the Interstates, when everyone drove the old two-lane roads, Burma Shave signs would be posted all over the countryside in farmers' fields. They were small red signs with white letters. Five signs, about 100 feet apart, each containing one line of a four line couplet ...and the obligatory 5th sign advertising Burma Shave, a popular shaving cream.



DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD
TO GAIN A MINUTE
YOU NEED YOUR HEAD
YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT




DROVE TOO LONG
DRIVER SNOOZING
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
IS NOT AMUSING



BROTHER SPEEDER,
LET'S REHEARSE;
ALL TOGETHER,
GOOD MORNING NURSE



CAUTIOUS RIDER
TO HER RECKLESS DEAR
LET'S HAVE LESS BULL
AND LOTS MORE STEER

SPEED WAS HIGH
WEATHER WAS NOT
TIRES WERE THIN
X MARKS THE SPOT

THE MIDNIGHT RIDE
OF PAUL FOR BEER
LED HIM TO
A WARMER HEMISPHERE

AROUND THE CURVE
LICKETY-SPLIT
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL NEW CAR
WASN'T IT?



NO MATTER THE PRICE
NO MATTER HOW NEW
THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE
IN THE CAR IS YOU

A GUY WHO DRIVES
A CAR WIDE OPEN
IS NOT THINKIN'
HE'S JUST HOPIN'

AT INTERSECTIONS
LOOK EACH WAY
A HARP SOUNDS NICE
BUT ITS HARD TO PLAY

BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL
EYES ON THE ROAD
THAT'S THE SKILLFUL
DRIVER'S CODE

THE ONE WHO DRIVES
WHEN HE'S BEEN DRINKING
DEPENDS ON YOU
TO DO HIS THINKING

CAR IN DITCH
DRIVER IN TREE
THE MOON WAS FULL
AND SO WAS HE.

And my all time favorite

PASSING SCHOOL ZONE
TAKE IT SLOW
LET OUR LITTLE
SHAVERS GROW

Mars Closest In 5,000 Years - Posted August 5, 2003

Received from Alice Ott Dabney...then from several other classmates:

The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.

By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month. Share this with your children and grandchildren. NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!

Manhattan History - Posted July 25, 2003

Lowell Jack, who we will remember as the manager of KMAN radio, has compiled a book, A History of Manhattan, Riley County and Ft. Riley from nearly 150 of his historical talks.  The book contains more than 70 pages, and has a 150 year timeline of historic events.  Also, part of the proceeds will go to the Riley County Museum and the Manhattan Sesquicentennial Committee. We have also heard that part will go to the Lawrence Norvell Band Shell project. Once we verify the latter we will put the information here at our web site. You can order the book from: Lowell Jack, 3508 Amy Lane, Manhattan, KS 66503.  The price is: $10.73, with $3.00 for postage if it needs to be mailed.

Other Class News - Posted July 23, 2003

This site, according to the web stats we record, receives a lot of visitation from folks other than the Class of '57. The number of "other classes" using the site has never been tabulated, and probably never will, however it is very apparent that we are visited with some regularity. With that said, a new section will be added and maintained for information from other classes. 

Other Class News should be online soon.

A MHS Museum - Posted July 23, 2003

We received an e-mail from Don Pady asking us to update his listing in the Class of '55 Directory, and shortly thereafter Don asked whether the Class of'57 would support the establishment of a MHS museum. A quick survey was taken via phone and e-mail, which was very positive, but also raised several questions regarding funding, location, staffing, maintenance, etc., etc.  Don is now putting together a plan and submitting it to paper.  Once that is done it will be reviewed by representatives from several MHS classes.  If you have an opinion, please send it to: jking@mhs57.org or to: DSPady1@aol.com

It should be mentioned that Don was the archivist for the Mayo Medical Museum in Rochester, MN, so he does have the expertise for this type project.

Vesta Visits West Coast Classmates - Posted July 2, 2003

The following was sent June 5th

John,

I just got back from Portland where I visited with Mary Noland (Breeden) As always we had a great time and spent one evening with Joanne Ochse (Dreher). We also got together for lunch with Rick Bayles and one day we traveled down to Albany to see Christa Wimmer (Fitzgerald) who had many of her paintings on display in her house. Mary's husband Vern took a couple of casual pictures of the three of us visiting but the focal point seemed to be the nude painting on the wall. (We asked Christa if it was a self-portrait but she denied it!!!!)

Tell the gang at Fiser's (the BBQ) I said hello.

Vesta

Editors Note: You can see several of Christa's paintings here: www.christascats.com.

Ron Anderson Found - Posted June 13, 2003

The following was posted in February, 2002:  

A wonderful web site! Men of the USS Brister DER 327 out of Agana,Guam are desperately seeking Ronald E. Anderson of Manhattan and who we believe attended Manhattan High School in one or all the years listed above (56/57/58). We would appreciate it beyond words if you could shed some light on where Ron might be. We are holding a reunion soon and would really like to contact him about attending. Or just to call and swap some old sea stories. I could provide you with a picture if you are unsure of who he is. He may have attended KSU after graduation for a short time so I'm really unsure of his graduating year at MHS. I really thought I had hit a homerun when I saw the 57 web page. Thank you very much for any help you might give us in this search. Felton E. Hudson 1270 Cedar Park Place Stone Mountain -Ga. 30083 404-299-3637

After receiving the above we contacted Felton, and ran a story asking for help finding Ron Anderson, but it came to naught.  Felton Hudson, on the other hand, kept on looking and a few weeks ago sent us Ron's e-mail address which is: randerson221@attbi.com

Ron had many friends in our class, plus the Class of '58.  We are very happy that he has been found. The information we received from Felton has been placed in the Class of '58 Directory in this site, and has been passed on to the Class of '58.

Roosevelt Elementary's 80th Anniversary - Please go to Jan Journey's Personal Pages, and the complete story, by clicking here.

Mars Closest In 5,000 Years - Posted August 5, 2003

Received from Alice Ott Dabney...then from several other classmates:

The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.

By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month. Share this with your children and grandchildren. NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!

Manhattan History - Posted July 25, 2003

Lowell Jack, who we will remember as the manager of KMAN radio, has compiled a book, A History of Manhattan, Riley County and Ft. Riley from nearly 150 of his historical talks.  The book contains more than 70 pages, and has a 150 year timeline of historic events.  Also, part of the proceeds will go to the Riley County Museum and the Manhattan Sesquicentennial Committee. We have also heard that part will go to the Lawrence Norvell Band Shell project. Once we verify the latter we will put the information here at our web site. You can order the book from: Lowell Jack, 3508 Amy Lane, Manhattan, KS 66503.  The price is: $10.73, with $3.00 for postage if it needs to be mailed.

Other Class News - Posted July 23, 2003

This site, according to the web stats we record, receives a lot of visitation from folks other than the Class of '57. The number of "other classes" using the site has never been tabulated, and probably never will, however it is very apparent that we are visited with some regularity. With that said, a new section will be added and maintained for information from other classes. 

Other Class News should be online soon.

A MHS Museum - Posted July 23, 2003

We received an e-mail from Don Pady asking us to update his listing in the Class of '55 Directory, and shortly thereafter Don asked whether the Class of'57 would support the establishment of a MHS museum. A quick survey was taken via phone and e-mail, which was very positive, but also raised several questions regarding funding, location, staffing, maintenance, etc., etc.  Don is now putting together a plan and submitting it to paper.  Once that is done it will be reviewed by representatives from several MHS classes.  If you have an opinion, please send it to: jking@mhs57.org or to: DSPady1@aol.com

It should be mentioned that Don was the archivist for the Mayo Medical Museum in Rochester, MN, so he does have the expertise for this type project.

Vesta Visits West Coast Classmates - Posted July 2, 2003

The following was sent June 5th

John,

I just got back from Portland where I visited with Mary Noland (Breeden) As always we had a great time and spent one evening with Joanne Ochse (Dreher). We also got together for lunch with Rick Bayles and one day we traveled down to Albany to see Christa Wimmer (Fitzgerald) who had many of her paintings on display in her house. Mary's husband Vern took a couple of casual pictures of the three of us visiting but the focal point seemed to be the nude painting on the wall. (We asked Christa if it was a self-portrait but she denied it!!!!)

Tell the gang at Fiser's (the BBQ) I said hello.

Vesta

Editors Note: You can see several of Christa's paintings here: www.christascats.com.

Ron Anderson Found - Posted June 13, 2003

The following was posted in February, 2002:  

A wonderful web site! Men of the USS Brister DER 327 out of Agana,Guam are desperately seeking Ronald E. Anderson of Manhattan and who we believe attended Manhattan High School in one or all the years listed above (56/57/58). We would appreciate it beyond words if you could shed some light on where Ron might be. We are holding a reunion soon and would really like to contact him about attending. Or just to call and swap some old sea stories. I could provide you with a picture if you are unsure of who he is. He may have attended KSU after graduation for a short time so I'm really unsure of his graduating year at MHS. I really thought I had hit a homerun when I saw the 57 web page. Thank you very much for any help you might give us in this search. Felton E. Hudson 1270 Cedar Park Place Stone Mountain -Ga. 30083 404-299-3637

After receiving the above we contacted Felton, and ran a story asking for help finding Ron Anderson, but it came to naught.  Felton Hudson, on the other hand, kept on looking and a few weeks ago sent us Ron's e-mail address which is: randerson221@attbi.com

Ron had many friends in our class, plus the Class of '58.  We are very happy that he has been found. The information we received from Felton has been placed in the Class of '58 Directory in this site, and has been passed on to the Class of '58.

Roosevelt Elementary's 80th Anniversary - Please go to Jan Journey's Personal Pages, and the complete story, by clicking here.

Vesta Visits West Coast Classmates - Posted July 2, 2003 - (The following was sent June 5th)

John,

I just got back from Portland where I visited with Mary Noland (Breeden) As always we had a great time and spent one evening with Joanne Ochse (Dreher). We also got together for lunch with Rick Bayles and one day we traveled down to Albany to see Christa Wimmer (Fitzgerald) who had many of her paintings on display in her house. Mary's husband Vern took a couple of casual pictures of the three of us visiting but the focal point seemed to be the nude painting on the wall. (We asked Christa if it was a self-portrait but she denied it!!!!)

Tell the gang at Fiser's (the BBQ) I said hello.

Vesta

Editors Note: You can see several of Christa's paintings here: www.christascats.com.

Ron Anderson Found - Posted June 13, 2003 - The following was posted in February, 2002:  

A wonderful web site! Men of the USS Brister DER 327 out of Agana,Guam are desperately seeking Ronald E. Anderson of Manhattan and who we believe attended Manhattan High School in one or all the years listed above (56/57/58). We would appreciate it beyond words if you could shed some light on where Ron might be. We are holding a reunion soon and would really like to contact him about attending. Or just to call and swap some old sea stories. I could provide you with a picture if you are unsure of who he is. He may have attended KSU after graduation for a short time so I'm really unsure of his graduating year at MHS. I really thought I had hit a homerun when I saw the 57 web page. Thank you very much for any help you might give us in this search. Felton E. Hudson 1270 Cedar Park Place Stone Mountain -Ga. 30083 404-299-3637

After receiving the above we contacted Felton, and ran a story asking for help finding Ron Anderson, but it came to naught.  Felton Hudson, on the other hand, kept on looking and a few weeks ago sent us Ron's e-mail address which is: randerson221@attbi.com

Ron had many friends in our class, plus the Class of '58.  We are very happy that he has been found. The information we received from Felton has been placed in the Class of '58 Directory in this site, and has been passed on to the Class of '58.

New Form of Breast Cancer - Posted June 13, 2003 - We received this from Alice Ott Dabney.

In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. The sister of my friend developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing.

Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with
antibiotics for infections. After 2 rounds and it continued to get worse,
her doctor sent her for another mammogram, and this time it showed a mass.

A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then mastectomy; then a full round of Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health.

One year of living each day to its fullest. Then the cancer returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. We had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After just a few days of needing morphine, she slipped away saying she had done what God had sent her into the world to do and now it was her time to go.

PLEASE be alert to any thing that is not normal, and be persistent in
getting help as soon as possible.

Her message is shown below:

Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureola. It appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor for that. Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous. Now, I suspect there are not many women out there who
know a lesion or rash on the nipple or aureola can be breast cancer.

Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureola. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care

What are the symptoms? The symptoms include:

1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to
itch and burn. (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no
oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.)

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureola area
with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).

3. Usually only one nipple is affected.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done immediately. Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone's life.

My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread...

TO ALL READERS: This is sad as women are not aware of Paget's disease.

If, by passing this around on the e-mail, we can make others aware of it, and its potential danger, we are helping women everywhere. Please, if you can, take a moment to forward this message to as many people
as possible, especially to your family and friends. It only takes a moment, yet the results could save a life!

Roosevelt Elementary's 80th Anniversary - Please go to Jan Journey's Personal Pages, and the complete story, by clicking here.

BBQ A Memorable Feast - Posted May 28, 2003

The forecast was for rain and cool temperatures, but the rain held off and temperatures were great until a cold front swept through in the  late afternoon.  Even that didn't cool off the conversation or laughter.

When the wind went to the north, we noticed Larry and Donna Gier leading the exodus from deck to living room.  One year in sunny south Texas and they have become full fledged Snow Birds. The BBQ was instigated to a great degree by the fact that Larry and Donna would be in the area.  It was a grand time!

The BBQ started as a Christmas party meeting, but it slowly developed into the BBQ. About 30 attended...the "official" count being 28. Not much discussion was held about the Christmas party, which means another get together before December. Hooray!

Jan Journey ram-rodded the event, and did a great job. Classmates brought a variety of good things to eat, and it was better than great. And, we all want to thank Dave Fiser, once again, and Linda King, my sweetheart of a wife, who always does much to help, as well as all who came and shared their day.

A few pictures of the BBQ are here.

Tracy Britt to Harvard - Posted May 28, 2003

Tracy Britt maintained a 4.0 grade average through MHS and did it while holding down three jobs and managing the family business, Britt's Garden Acres.

Somehow she found the time and wherewithal to research grants and scholarships, of which she garnered several and this was one of the keys to her being accepted at Harvard. She was also heavily recruited by Emory University and MIT.

Richard told the Manhattan Mercury, "She can be a pain sometimes, but she knows how to get things done". I would say that is quite an understatement.