08/23/06 - NNHS Newsletter
Blue Suede Shoes

"NO!  Wait!  My shoes are in there!!!”

- Anonymous

Let's pretend.  Yes.  'Tend like my living ceiling didn't mysteriously begin leaking early Sunday morning.  'Tend like it didn't keep getting worse.  'Tend like we didn't hafta start moving furniture outta the way Sunday night.  Especially 'tend like it didn't involve that massive bookcase with the 10,000 (or so) books which all had to be removed to accomplish that.  'Tend like the living room now does not bear an amazing resemblance to Eddie's Furniture Store of our youth, with furniture and mattresses piled high, with only tunnels and narrow passageways through which to pass.  'Tend like all this didn't happen while we were trying to pack my #6 son,   Dale off for Southern Virginia University. 

   Yeah, and 'tend like the landlord didn't say it sounded like the air conditioner.  'Tend like we didn't hafta keep turning off the A/C in this totally absurd eastern North Carolina heat.  'Tend like he was actually able to find someone to repair it, so that when we returned from Virginia, the temperature inside the house wasn't really 82 degrees or so.  'Tend like we didn't all hafta evacuate to my sister's house just to be able to breathe.  'Tend like by now it's all better.

   But above all, pretend like it's still August 23rd, and this Newsletter is totally on time.

   There!  Wasn't that fun?!?  I just love to pretend!

  The theme of today's Newsletter was suggested by my sister,    Eleanor Buckley Nowitzky ('59) of NC back in April, and located for us by our Wizard of Wonderment,    Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA.  My special thanks to both of you!

 

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Happy-Birthday.html

   Have a fabulous day, Lady!

   Thanks, Colin!  I sent you a complimentary announcement.  Let me know if you'd like to be added to our regular mailing list:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/alumni-list.html

   I believe we were using the same roads on our trip to Buena Vista on Tuesday.  We live within walking distance of 401, so we took that north and picked up 421 north at Lillington, then 29 from Greensboro north to 501 at Lynchburg, and on to Buena Vista.  It's a beautiful drive.  We absolutely fell in love with Danville.  I hadn't been there since 1953.  It even has a Tank Museum!  Due to accidentally taking the business route, we were less enchanted by Lynchburg, as its roads seemed to be designed (or at least named) by a prankster of grand proportion.

   BUT THEN.... YOWZERONI!!!

   Perhaps I should explain.

   As my personal webpage clearly states, in addition to "Cluckmeat" and "Buckwheat", I am known by two highly  descriptive and supremely accurate nicknames:

Biggus Wimpus and Wienius Maximus

   I quite nearly amputated poor Dale's right thumb during those hairline twists and curves, simply by squeezing his hand too much.  That trip is going down in my own personal history as the Fourth Scariest Day, closely following these three lovelies:

1. Thursday, August 14, 1969 - on I-70 somewhere between Cheyenne and Laramie, WY: You know, there's just something about driving off a 600 foot cliff - and ultimately bouncing right back up on the road again (with only minimal car damage) as it made another turn - that tends to get one's attention....

2. Monday, August 4, 1980 - Eureka, MO - Six Flags Over Mid-America: Having chickened out of about six rides, I agreed to ride the Buccaneer with my four oldest sons, who were then ten, eight, six, and three.  As we approached, I saw what a truly ridiculous decision this was on my part.  Having entwined all our arms and hands into a pretzel formation, I spent the entire ride promising the Lord that if He would just spare our lives, I'd never do such a foolish thing again.  I've kept my word.

3. Saturday, June 15, 1996 - somewhere in the woods near Florence, OR: Hiking through gloriously beautiful woods complete with bridges and waterfalls and rocks and hills and cliffs is no place for a wuss of my caliber - and I tried to tell everyone (including a full set of brand new in-laws) this repeatedly to no avail.  Most of the ensuing humiliating experience has been blessedly erased from my memory banks after ten years.  Most, but not all.....

   And yes, Jimmy-Jimmy, I remember exactly what I was wearing on all four of the Grand Occasions.  I'm hardly likely to forget such life altering experiences

   Notice the common thread - my falling to a horrible, mangled death.  Sigh.

   There's a good reason I was not born to be a pioneer.......... 

   But I'm glad you were, Jay!   More power to you, Sir!

   WOWZERONI-RINI!!!  That is one cool website, Frank!

   (Y'all go watch that video and peruse the site!  You'll not regret it!)

   Thanks for sharing that with us, Frank!  I am quite impressed by your inspiring story!!

   I posted your email addie, and shamelessly swiped your logo to link your site to this page:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/contact-ALL.html

     http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/contact-1960.html

   Chippy Darlin', I don't know how you found that clipping after 32 years, but it forms an invaluable addition for our archive. 

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam-all.html

     http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam66.html
 

   Somehow reading an old news account makes it seem so fresh.  My condolences anew on the loss of your friend.

We have all been touched by cancer, somewhere in our lives, please read below and keep it going.  


New M&M colors  
 
 Pass this on to all of your friends. There are many women out there who have breast cancer. Let's do all we can to support this cause.  
 
 New Pink & White M&M's  

 The maker of M&M candies has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds through the sale of their new "pink & white" M&M candies.  
 
 For each 8-ounce bag of the special candies sold, the makers of M&M (Masterfoods) will donate 50 cents to the foundation. The next time you want a treat, please pick up a bag (now sold in stores nationwide) - you will be donating to a great cause and satisfying your sweet tooth.  Just think...If each of us buy one bag or two.... how much will be donated. Buy a bag for a friend...........  
 
   Thanks, Liz.  This is important.

   Thank you so much, Cookie!  I really appreciate that!

   And yes, ma'am - I will definitely be there in September!

   WOWZERONI-RINI!!!  What a gloriously beautiful car!  Congratulations, Bobby!  I very strongly believe that we should take full advantage of all the good opportunities life presents us, and that our greatest regrets will come from things we failed to do rather than those we did.  I am so happy for you!  Give Anne my love, and enjoy that lovely automobile!

   I've posted it here:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/our-old-cars.html

GAIL WATKINS CONWAY OF VA

D

   Thanks, David!  I've posted the names for you:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion-page.html

     http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/60-BIRTHDAY-1964-B.html

          http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion2006-64-ATTENDING.html

jwdvt@aol.com

   Oh, no, Joe!  Not I!!!  I triple-checked, just to make sure!  You're still on both of my mailing lists!

   I'm afraid it's the same old story.  AOL hates me - just because I say nasty things about them on a regular basis.

   I know of no way to correct this problem on my end, Joe.  I'll keep mailing out the announcements, and AOL will keep doing whatever it is that they do.

   If I'm still not able to cross their barriers, you can always look here to see what's new; the dates are listed:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com

   Sorry for the nonsense, Joe - but thanks!

I am so very pleased to see the response of caring headed your way. Long over due. I have learned people want to help but they have to be asked and there is the rub! for most of us. To risk....asking!

   You're right, Lady!  Had I not been simply trying to explain why everything would be coming to a screeching halt, I seriously doubt it would have happened now.  False pride exerts a powerful and wicked control sometimes....

Also add my birthday to the over 60 list. 11/07/44.

   Certainly!  There you are!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Happy-Birthday.html

I hope you and all your classmates have a great celebration.

Sincerely,
Pam Larmer Traugott

   Well, Pam, this isn't really technically my reunion; mine was last year.  BUT - it is an Open Reunion, sponsored by the Class of 1966, and I intend (as usual) of having the time of my life!  You should come join us!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion-class-of-1966.html

   Thanks, Pam - for everything!

   I continue to be astonished every time I go to my mailbox.  Your generous donations have been simply overwhelming.  They've come as checks, money orders, and cash.  They have been in varying amounts, from modest to completely unbelievable.  They've come from people I've known my whole life, and from people I've come to know through our pages, and from people I've never met.  They've come from people who have been with us from the start in July of 2000, and from people I never knew were reading the Newsletters.  They've come with cards, long letters, short notes, and with no notes at all.  And they all have brought tears to my eyes, and inexpressible gratitude.

   This is one of my favorite notes, for obvious reasons:

Hope the enclosed money order will help in some small way.

Things will get better, of that I am sure; good things come to good people.

Take care,
Tom

P.S. Thanks for the birthday greetings; it gave me the best smile of the day.

Maybe this thought will return the smile -

All of us bag boys at Colonial Stores thought you were a doll baby.  We only wished you were a little older so we could ask you out.  Thought your mom and dad would think we were too old for you - hey, what did we know?  We were young and stupid; our loss.

Tom

   Honey, this not only returned the smile; this put a big ol' grin on my face and a warm glow in my heart and a bounce to my step that is with me yet!  Thanks so much, Tommie - for everything!

   (Needless to say, at twelve and thirteen I was an absolutely outrageous flirt - even more so than in later years - and thoroughly enjoyed every scandalous minute of it!)

   Yes, Sweetie, with the tiny little exception noted above, we had a delightful trip - thanks!   It's always beyond wonderful to return to any part of that sacred soil.  I'd not been to Lexington since we passed through there in February of 1999 on the way from mid-Illinois to Richmond for my mama's funeral.  And even in the early morning hours and under those conditions, we could not help but notice its sheer beauty.

Recently, there have been two comments in the newsletter that I think I should comment on, since they refer to my specialty. In one's travels throughout this great country, if you should find yourself in need of a Police Officer, dialing 911 will get you the nearest Police, Fire and Rescue units. If you need a State Trooper, in Virginia all you do is dial #77 and your call will be directed to the nearest State Police Division Headquarters from where you made the call. Since cell phones do not recognize boundaries, such as state lines, that is the reason for the difference between the states, for instance, I believe that in North Carolina, you need to dial *77 for the same service. When crossing into another state, just look for the sign which indicates the number.

Secondly, the issue with not stopping for unmarked cars. I have driven unmarked cars for several years and I think I can clear some of the problems. First, there are NO provisions in Virginia Law, that excuses a person for not stopping. 46.2-829 states: "upon the approach of any emergency vehicle with emergency lights activated or giving an audible signal, that Every other vehicle shall, as quickly as traffic and other highway conditions permit, drive to the nearest edge of the roadway, clear of any intersection of highways, and stop and remain there, unless directed by a law-enforcement officer, until the emergency vehicle has passed." If you are driving, especially if you are a female driver, and an unmarked vehicle attempts to pull you over, by all means do so immediately. Keep your car in gear, your foot on the brake, windows rolled-up, and the doors locked. Look in your rearview mirror to see who gets out of the police vehicle. If he is in civilian clothes, he will have his badge/ID in his hand before he gets to your vehicle. I can count on one hand the number of traffic stops I have made when not in uniform, and they have been for things that were extremely bad. If the officer is in civilian clothes and you feel something is amiss, by all means, tell him that you are going to the next exit, place of business, rest area, etc, and get on the telephone. If the officer is in uniform don't dare drive-off. Most officers now days have video encapture systems in their cars and every traffic stop is recorded in living color and sound. If you do drive-off, remember that you are going to have to articulate your actions to a judge or jury, and believe me, you are going to have to have a very good reason for doing so. There are people in this world that do not recognize anyone in authority, especially police officers. I know personally, some people have refused to stop for marked patrol cars, and at times, that gets real bad. Not to say that there are not imposters (wannabees) out there, because I have arrested a couple, but the chances of you being stopped by one, is about the same as you being struck by lightning. Just remember that you have to articulate your actions, and simply being nervous is not an excuse. I hope that I have not confused anyone, if anyone would like to discuss this, or any other matter, feel free, and in the meantime, drive safely and hope you do not meet any of my fraternal brothers and sisters.

Jay Styles, '68
Master Trooper, Virginia State Police

   Ahhh - a definitive answer from an expert in the field!  I love those!!!  Thanks, Jay!

The other day you were just an Honorary Lady Marine >>>>> Today you are an Honorary Lady Marine in Full Dress Blues with Proper Medals. The Cross on the left is your Award for Rifle Sharpshooter and the one on the right is for Bayonet and 45Cal. Pistol.

Congratulations and Semper Fi.

Your Friend, Herbie

   Thanks so much, Herbie Darlin'!

   I could and I would and I did, Jim!  There ya go:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/contact-ALL.html

     http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/contact-1966.html

   Thanks for your kind thoughts - and everything else, too, Jim!   I'm looking forward to seeing you again.  And Eleanor, of course, has been wanting to meet you ever since that ridiculous banter you two had about the #10,000 page hit back in November of 2002!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/page-hits.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/11-08-02-NNHS-More-Developments.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/11-14-02-NNHS-Good-News.html

   Thanks, Dee!
 

   Thank you, David!  Y'all have fun!
 

Checks may be mailed to    Judy Leggette Elliott:

            Judy Leggette Elliott
            15 Rivercrest Drive
            Poquoson, VA 23662

   Thanks, Carolyn!