09/18/04 - NNHS Newsletter - FIRST REPORTS and Mr. Davis

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,

From Me ('65) in NC - 09/17/04, 8:14 PM:

   Following the recent storms, we are concerned for your safety and status.  Over 1,000,000 people are currently
without power.  The western Carolinas and Tennessee were hit today with flooding, death and destruction.  Here
in Fayetteville we only had heavy winds and rain; our power did not even flicker.  Farther west – even in Durham –
people were not so fortunate.  

   This just arrived from Brownie Shaffer Haracivet (’62) in the Virgin Islands (6:53 PM):

Dear Carol,
 Has anyone heard from Nancy Horton '62 of FL since Hurricane Ivan? Please let me know
as soon as you hear anything. I think it would help us all if you ask in the next newsletter
for information regarding the well-being of our classmates in AL, LA, FL MS or anywhere there
has been storm damage from Ivan or other storms. St. Thomas is a mess from tropical storm
Jeanne and the Blob that followed her. We have flooding and mud slides, but nothing can
compare with what Ivan has done to our sister islands in the Caribbean and in so many 
 of the states along with the other storms.
 Thanks Carol.
Brownie

   If you live in any of these affected areas, please contact us regarding your status as soon as you’re able, so that
we may spread the word.  You know how many of us are hand-wringers, but it’s only because we love you so.

   Don’t forget the contact pages: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/contact-ALL.html

   I tend not to be online quite as much during the weekends as I am Monday through Friday, and this weekend may
be busier than most.

   Y’all take all care!

From Nancy Horton Wilkes ('62) of FL - 09/17/04, 9:19 PM:

Nancy Horton Wilkes '62 reporting in from Panama City Beach, Florida. We survived Ivan. We live on a bayou that connects
to a bay, so he did come into our yard, but glad to say that he's gone. Lots of trees down around us but not on our property.
A tornado touched down a mile from our house that did a lot of damage. You have to pay your dues every now and then
to live in La-La Land!
Thanks to Brownie for her concern. We have received lots of calls including one from Paris, France and one from Copenhagen,
Denmark.  CNN reaches all corners.  It's amazing.

   WHEW!  Thanks, Nancy!

From Frank Blechman ('65) of Northern VA - 09/17/04, 9:47 PM:

Rain? Wind? Tornados? Lightening? Flash floods? Well maybe, but I was working on the computer so I guess I missed it.

   Frank, Sweetie, you are a hoot!  Thanks!  I must admit, I wasn't paying attention either until I kept hearing branches from the seven
enormous Ponderosa pines in my front yard landing on my roof from the high winds.  It wasn't even raining - yet...

From Renee Helterbran Benton ('59) of VA - 09/17/04, 11:11 PM:

Carol
I hope the storms don't get to you.  Take care.
Please put me on the contact page for the Class of '59.  Thanks.
Renee

   Thanks, Renee!  We're fine here.  I'll build you a '59 Contact page very, very soon (but not today...).

From Norman Olshansky ('64) of FL - 09/18/04, 9:10 AM:

Florida was hit hard, three times this hurricane season already.  Massive damage. 
I was one of the lucky ones.  Other than some minor flooding, downed trees, winds, lots of beach erosion and some relatively
minor property damage, my neighborhood was spared.  Just 30 minutes south of my home, where I live in Sarasota,  Charley
left havoc and massive destruction (Punta Gorda).
We count our blessings and have extended our support to those less fortunate.
Norman

   Thanks, Norman.  Knowing where you were, you were near the top of my worry list.  I'm so glad to learn of your safety.

From Ron Miller ('59) of Western NC - 09/18/04, 9:26 AM:

Carol
We're okay here in the mountains of Western NC. We caught the brunt of the flooding from Ivan in this area -- up to 17 inches
of rain in 24 hrs some areas. We got over 6 inches here. One entire mountainside about 20 miles from here just slid away, taking
30 homes with it. Seven are known dead, but many, many more are unaccounted for. Power was out for probably 90% of everyone
in the mountains, but most is restored now. 
Believe it or not, flooding was worse here with Hurricane Frances about 9 days earlier, but no lives were lost. We lost water for the
entire city of Asheville for 3 to 5 days depending on where in their service area you were located. You wouldn't believe how great a
shower feels after 4 days!!
Ron

   Thanks, Ronnie!  Having seen your part of the state on my LOCAL News channel, you were also near the top of my worry list. 
Thanks so much for checking in with us!  This much destruction is all but incomprehensible.

From Jimmy Dick ('65) of FL - 09/18/04, 11:11 AM:

We were very fortunate that Ivan decided to go West.  We didn't even get rain; just some 20-25 mph winds.
I don't know what we would have done if Ivan had hit us after Frances. Standing water is still a problem here.
I am sending two clean up trucks to Pensacola this afternoon to help them. Everyone say a prayer,
Pensacola got it the worst.

   Thanks, Jimmy.  Prayers are continuing.

From Charles Braslow ('65) of the Virgin Islands - 09/18/04, 1:44 PM:

Dear Carol, 
All is well here on St. Croix - Jeanne caused some minor flooding but basically just an inconvenience
compared with Ivan, Frances and Charley in Florida.  I hope everyone is safe and healthy - anyone
coming to visit down here let me know - I've got an extra bedroom and love to do the tour guide "thing." 
Best to all.
Charles

    Thanks so much, Charles, both for your report, and for your generous offer of hospitality.

In Other Sad News:

From Ron Smith ('65) of VA - 09/18/04, 9:50 AM:

Death Angel strikes again: James Davis, father of Malcolm ('65) and Rex ('66),
died yesterday at home. Services at noon next Thursday in Parkview Baptist. Look
for obit in Daily Press. Ron Smith reporting.

From the Daily Press - 09/18/04:

James L. Davis

NEWPORT NEWS - James L. Davis, widower of Alyne T. Davis, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2004. Arrangements by Peninsula Funeral Home.

Published in the Daily Press on 9/18/2004.

   Sigh.  Thanks, Ron.  Our deepest sympathies to Malcolm and Polly, and Rex, and their friends and families.  More on this later.

   Thanks so much to everyone for tour reports.  We'll keep you posted as more arrive.  Stay safe!

   Y'all take all care, both of yourselves and of each other. 

                                   Love to all, Carol

==============================================

NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE: http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat

"I only have two kinds of days: happy and hysterically happy."

==============================================

RIDERS ON THE STORM
The Doors

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm
There's a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin' like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your children play
If ya give this man a ride
Sweet memory will die
Killer on the road, yeah
Girl, ya gotta love your man
Girl, ya gotta love your man
Take him by the hand
Make him understand
The world on you depends
Our life will never end
Gotta love your man, yeah
Wow!
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm

"Riders on the Storm" midi courtesy of http://www.mystiqal.com/Music2ak.htm
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 09/23/03.
Thanks, Dave!

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