Pioneer Newsletter - September 2006

Editor: Jim Morgan (Class of 1958)
320 East Vine #4
Murray, Utah 84107
(801) 261-1906
E-mail: jrmmgm123@juno.com
E-mail: jrmmgm123@aol.com

You will notice that this issue of the Pioneer newsletter is much shorter
as I want to get in out earlier in the month. For the last few months it
has been sent out nearer the end of the month, instead of the beginning
because of a lot of commitments. Hopefully next month it will be sent out
by the 10th of October. If you want anything included please have it to
me by the 5th of October to be included.

Next Issue:

I just received the phonograph record that was made on the achievements
of the Class of 1958 during the senior year from Joe Grisillo in four
parts (no, the record wasn’t broken; he sent it by e-mail in four
sections). I forwarded it to a friend who is burning it on a CD for me
and making an extra copy to be donate to the North Miami Historical
Society. I’ll be transcribing it as best that I can and will include the
complete text in the next Pioneer newsletter. Unfortunately, the words
without the sound effects doesn’t do the record any justice. I’ve
listened to it for the first time and loved it. I never knew it existed
before getting it from Joe. Does anyone remember “The Big Record North
Miami High-Lights of 1957-1958 directed by Elayne Gilbert.

Pioneer Memorial Scholarship Fund: Just another plug for the scholarship
fund that I mentioned last month. It is all set-up to take donations and
hopefully they will be able to award the first Pioneer Memorial
Scholarship next year at graduation. If you would like to donate to PMSF
please send your check to Scott Galvin, c/o Pioneer Pride Fund, 12100
West Dixie Highway, North Miami, Florida 33161. Simply write a check
payable to the Pioneer Pride Fund, but designate on the check that you
wish it to go to PMSF, and note the name of the person in whose name the
money has been given. You can do that in a couple of ways....with an
accompanying note, or a line on the check.

Send your donation in memory of your favorite teacher of a friend,
brother, sister or spouse who is no longer with us. For those of you who
I have helped with genealogy in the past or am still helping right now it
would be nice if you especially made a small (or large) donation to the
fund.

In October’s issue I will print a list of all those whom I know who are
deceased that were members of the Class of 1958. Right now there are
about 75 that I personally know of. Hopefully, the list will help you
decide on which deceased Pioneer to make a donation in their name to the
Pioneer Memorial Scholarship Fund. You Pioneers in the Classes of 1955,
1956, 1957 and later also have a long list of friends who have passed on.

You can also donate money in memory of all the teachers and students who
have passed on from North Miami High School.

As for the teachers and school staff almost 90% are no longer with us so
you can take your pick with Mr. McGuire, Mr. Dutton, Mrs. Lynch, Mr.
Stamos, Mr. Darrow, Miss Pomeroy, Coach Lipscomb, Mrs. Gaetano, Mr.
Alexander, Mrs. Branham, Mr. Farmer, Mr. Handy, Mr. Stratton, Mrs.
Hicks, Mrs. Atwood, Mr. Basnett, Mr. Zellers to name just a few.

The Pioneer Memorial Scholarship Fund is a great way to pay back North
Miami High School for the wonderful times that we had while attending and
at the same time help a current student get an education.

School History: (The following is from the 1954-1955 Student Handbook)

Edward L. Constance Junior-Senior High School opened in the fall of 1951,
fulfilling the need for a high school in the North Dade area, and has
literally been under construction ever since.

This year or next the portables will probably be eliminated because of
the construction of several new classrooms and additional meeting places,
and the pending transfer of junior high students to a new school.

Constance was named after a real estate broker who acquired the land for
the construction of the school in North Miami.

During the first year the school accommodated 1500 seventh-, eighth-, and
ninth-graders. The second year a tenth grade was added and last year the
school increased to eleven grades with 2800 students enrolled; the
largest student body of ant school in the state. This year a senior class
has been added, propelling the enrollment to an expected figure on 3200.
Constance is now, of course, a full-fledged high school.

Despite its youth, Constance has kept pace with the established schools
in the county. The school has a club program and other activities which
compete directly for recognition with other schools. The Pioneers played
their first season of varsity sports last year in football, basketball,
baseball, and track, with the track squad winning the Class A
championship.

With the construction of homemaking and industrial arts departments as
well as a brand new gymnasium, all that remains to be built is an
auditorium, a football stadium, and a swimming pool. These, Principal
John C. McGuire says we will get before too long.

The Administrative and General Staff consisted of:

John C. McGuire, Principal
Dr. Audrey Atherton, Dean of Girls
Richard Henley, Dean of Boys
David Bullington, Guidance Director
Mrs. Nora Meredith, Sr. Hi Curriculum Director
Mrs. Ida Meyers, Jr. Hi Curriculum Director
Miss Kathryn Martin, Registrar
Mrs. Elizabeth Mansfield, Secretary to Principal
Mrs. Pauline Wilson, Bookkeeper
Mrs. Virginia Carter, Mary Frances Farrow and Pauline Teems, Secretary

The Handbook Committee was chaired be Mrs. Zelma W. Branhan; students on
the committee were Folmar Ham, Ellen Kimball, Robert Posnak, John
Reynolds and Mollie William; the faculty members of the committee
consisted of R. Watson Dutton, Richard Henley, Miss Clyde Jordan and
Irving Zuckerman.

Reunion, Reunion Reunion!!!

The Class of 1956 (Alyce Brown) and Class of 1957 (Audrey Axelson) both
have things all set for the Big 50’s. For those of you in the Class of
1958 who have asked lately about the “Big 50” I don’t know what they are
planning yet but as soon as I hear I’ll let you know what’s going on. I’m
sure the committee is working on a wonderful celebration.

I’ll be putting on a push to find our lost classmates from the Class of
1958 as we want everyone to at least know about the celebration.

Pioneers Worldwide:

North Miami High School has spread its students to the four corners of
the earth and to every state in the Union.

Countries that I know our Pioneers presently live in or travel to quite
often are:

Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Mexico, Mongolia, Philippines,
Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, Thailand, Turkey.

Found Pioneers from the Class of 1958:

In the last month I’ve found many from the Class of 1958 who have been on
my lost list. Every time I find one I want to shout for joy but then I
realize that we still have a lot more that need to be found. Hopefully we
will find many more before the Class of 1958 has its “Big 50” reunion.
Below is a list of a few that still needs to be found:

Joyce Vivian Beasley, Phyllis Sandra Bertrand, Mary Elizabeth Bower, Lee
L. Clark, Dale Roberta Comstock, Mary Ann Dixon, Mary Anna Emery, James
Odis Elam Jr.

Rae Ellen Falmen, Martha Jean Gato (Brandenburgh), William Leslie
Gilbert, Mary Louise Grasso (Bridge), Dorothy Anne Haire (Perrin),
Shirley Haire, Ina Bell (Pat) Harper (Kinsey), Charles Frederick Huber,
Richard Jenkins

Eleanor Anne Kilgaski, Martha Anne Klingaman, Linda Lenna (Monahan),
Barbara Jean Lopez, Alice Maier, Michael Grant Mallory, Eleanor Hermine
Manzione (Franklin), Bonita Louella (Bonnie) Moore-spouse Larry
Pitsenger, Maureen O’Connell, Peggy Lou Oney (Mele)

Leilani Mary Ann Paisley (Reeder), Terrance Lee Patterson, Linda May
Perkins, Carlrrn Marie Pompeo (Claes), John Thomas Post, Michael Laurie
Ralston, William David Rigdon, George Henry Rowe Jr., Nancilee Ryan (L.
J. Suggs), Viivi Saarna (Chambers), Merle Ann Salfi (Larson), James
Joseph Sloan, Bette Stopp, Sandra May Targony, Joseph John Turse Jr.

Myrtle Lois Upton (Hackney), Barbara Walstead (James Wood), Ann Page
Weathersby, Jeannie Ruth Webb, Stanley Jack Weissman, Eaymond Dean
Whitmarch, Lillie Diane Wynne, Gladys Yale

Johnny Bobbitt aka Johnny Holliday (Class of 1955) Named 2006 Chris
Schenkel Awardee. Posted: Jun 29, 2006. Maryland's Johnny Holliday joins
a list of ten other recipients of the Chris Schenkel Award. The National
Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today that
27-year University of Maryland announcer Johnny Holliday will receive the
organization’s 2006 Chris Schenkel Award. "I am honored to be among the
recipients of this very prestigious award; its namesake is one of
America's truly great broadcasters," said Holliday. "To be mentioned in
the same breath with some of the past recipients of this award is
humbling. My tenure with the University of Maryland has been the
highlight of my broadcasting career and being associated with the sports
teams and the great Terrapin fans has been an honor." The award, named
for legendary college football announcer Chris Schenkel and presented
since 1996, is given annually to a college football broadcaster who has
had a long and distinguished career broadcasting college football. The
award seeks to recognize broadcasters with direct ties to colleges and
universities rather than strictly national broadcasters. Holliday will
accept his award on Saturday, August 12, at the Enshrinement Dinner and
Show during the College Football Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement Festival in
South Bend, Ind. “Johnny’s remarkable career with the Terrapins makes him
the perfect recipient of this award,” said NFF President Steven J.
Hatchell. “His level of passion, integrity and commitment to his
profession is exceptionally rare, and I’m sure Chris (Schenkel) would be
very proud if he were still with us today.” Since 1979, Holliday’s
distinctive voice has been synonymous with Terrapin football and
basketball, serving as the school’s play-by-play announcer for more than
1,075 games as well as the host of the school’s coaches’ shows.
Considered Washington, D.C.’s most versatile broadcaster, he has
announced for nine bowl games, five Olympics, the Washington Redskins,
and the Masters. A 25-year veteran with ABC sports, his sports reports
are heard mornings coast-to-coast on the ABC Radio Network. “For any of
us who cover this game, it’s a privilege to do college football,”
Holliday said. “When you’re working with one program, you get to know the
program. You have tremendous joy and pride when they go to a bowl game.
And when it goes the other way, you feel the hurt that they feel. It’s a
job that everybody would love to have, and I feel privileged to do what I
am doing and to be the voice of one institution for 27 years.” A 2003
inductee into the Radio-Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Holliday
penned a 2002 autobiography entitled “Johnny Holliday, from Rock to
Jock,” highlighting his transition from the nation’s No. 1 Top 40 disc
jockey in the 1960s to his current position as a renowned sports
broadcaster. Holliday is also heavily involved in charity work, having
raised over $1.5 million for various causes, and he has had a flourishing
acting career with more than 30 leading roles in Summer Stock
productions. Career highlights include playing the last record on 1010
WINS before the New York station went all news in 1965, emceeing the
Beatles last concert, at Candlestick Park, in 1966 and spotting for Chris
Schenkel during the Cleveland Browns – New York Giants’ games in the
early ‘60s. Past Chris Schenkel Award winners include Chris Schenkel (ABC
Sports), Jack Cristil (Mississippi State), Max Falkenstein (Kansas), Jack
Fleming (West Virginia), Ray Christensen (Minnesota), Frank Fallon
(Baylor), Bob Brooks (Iowa), Larry Munson (Georgia), Bob Robertson
(Washington State) and Tony Roberts (Notre Dame). Holliday will be
honored during the College Football Hall of Fame’s 2006 Enshrinement
Festival on August 11-12. This year’s Enshrinement Class includes
Cornelius Bennett (Alabama), Coach Pat Dye (Auburn), Coach John Gagliardi
(Saint John’s, Minn.), and Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State) among
others. (Note: It’s great to know of the wonderful things that happen to
all of our NMHS Pioneers-Johnny has accomplished a lot. To get a better
picture of Johnny and his great accomplishments I’d suggest that you read
his book “Johnny Holliday: From Rock to Jock” by Johnny Holliday that
tells about his life at NMHS, national disc jockey and his sports
affiliations. Another new book is “Hoop Tales: Maryland Terrapins Men’s
Basketball”. I haven’t read the second book yet but “From Rock to Jock”
is fantastic.).

Need New E-mail Addresses on the following Pioneers:

Those listed below have recently changed their e-mail address. I’d
appreciate help in getting a new one so I can continue to send them the
Pioneer newsletter.

Class of 1955: Charles Bee, Ray Glaze

Class of 1956: Jim Mathis

Class of 1957: Brownie Dubberly, Rochelle Winneiker, Sandy Armstrong

Class of 1958: Carolyn Todd, Dave Prevatt, Jean Swensen, Wayne Reamey

Class of 1959: Carol Moorehead, Larry McGee, Robin Romaguera

Class of 1960: Alan Lanken, Judi Deutch, Liz Lemmon, Peter Quincy, Sandy
Brach, Sonja Livaudais, Tom Baxley

Do You Remember School Staff-1958

The staff was changing each year at North Miami High School but a few of
the teachers were there for all four years of our schooling (1954-1958).
On a whole most of the teachers were very kind, considerate and very
caring. They took part in school activities, went to ball games, spent
extra time with the students when needed. The special teachers and staff
laughed with us, cried with us and loved us for who we were. A few of
them were exceptional in every way. Mr. Robert Alexander, Mr. Stewart
Darrow, Mr. R. W. Dutton, Mr. Perry Farmer, Mrs. Vivian Hicks, Mr.
Michael Negrich, Miss Virginia Pomeroy are just a few that have been
mentioned by others over the last few years. Ask any student and the list
of favorite teachers will change. Both of our class sponsors were always
there ready to support us and help us with class activities.

Where it is known that the teacher was married or unmarried the term Mrs.
or Miss is shown otherwise nothing is listed.

Principal: Paul Davidson

Deans: Boys-Richard. J. Henley; Girls-Myra Seward

Director of Student Affairs: Mr. Floyd N. Peters

Office Staff: Miss Lorraine Appleton (PBX operator), Mrs. Vera Bowman
(office), Miss Rhea Brisson (senior clerk), Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell
(school secretary), Mrs. Fritz (office), Mrs. Kathryn Negrich
(registrar), Mrs. Pauline Teems (accounting clerk)

Guidance Department: Mr. David Bullington, Miss Mary Elizabeth Calley,
Miss Alfreda Colwell, Mr. Joseph Cox, Miss Marcia Hill, Mr. Michael
Negrich

Curriculum Assistants: Mrs. Nora C. Meredith, Mrs. Ida P. Myers

Agriculture Department: Mr. Perry Sistrunk (vocational agriculture)

Art Department: Mr. Patrick DeLong, Mr. Robert Zellers (graphics)

Audio Visual: Mrs. Skinner

Business Education: Agnes Aspinall (typing), Mr. Alexander Bertok, Mrs.
Lois Cox, Elizabeth Hinshaw, Mrs. Frankie Joyner, Mrs. Nina P. Ketzle
(typing), Mr. Serge Marconi, Mrs. Annabella Schmaus, Miss Phyllis Steele

D. C. T. Department: Ruth Breese

Drama Department: Miss Virginia Pomroy

Drivers Education: Mr. Fredrick Hyrne, Mr. Sheldon Whittle

English Department: Mr. Elfin Albaum, Mrs. Florence Cadwallder, Mr.
Charles Cornell, Mr. Gayle Craddock, Mrs. Leona Gaetano, Mr. Russell
Handy (speech), Mrs. Vivian Hicks, Miss Mary Kennedy, Mabel W. Lanius,
Miss Marie Mastropaolo, Mrs. Amy N. Mitchell, Mrs. Mary Niles, Mrs. Ella
D. Norton, Miss Virginia Pomroy, Claire Rowe (reading), Dorothy
Samuelson, Lillian Stalnaker

Foreign Language: Mrs. Esther Atwood (Spanish), Mrs. Elma Branhan
(Latin), Mr. Francis Funke (Spanish), Mrs. Myra Hand, Mr. Frank L.
Peterson (French & Spanish)

Home Economics: Mrs. Martha Boggy, Miss Constance Couture (homemaking),
Mrs. Margaret Hogsett, Vella K. Moore

Industrial Arts: Mr. James Criswell (metals shop), Mr. Jack Hindmarsh
(mechanical drawing), Mr. David S. Perrin, Mr. James R. Womack (wood
shop)

Journalism Department: Mr. Arnold Murray

Librarian: Mrs. Ann Gillott, Mrs. Faye Klingmeyer, Mabel S. Munden

Mathematics Department: Mr. Marvin Berrong (solid geometry, trigonometry,
algebra), Mr. Robert Blotcher (algebra & basic math), Mr. Jack Hindmarsh,
Mrs. Elizabeth Lynch (plane geometry), Mr. Kraus Nordmeyer (algebra &
basic math), Mr. Henry W. Pette (functional math & algebra), Mary Frances
Reid (algebra & functional math), Sylvia Ruskin (basic math & algebra),
Miss Florence Shaffer, Miss Nell Sloan (geometry & algebra), Mrs.
Genevieve Spell (basic math & algebra), Mr. Walter Weyant (math)

Music Department: Mr. Robert Alexander (band director), Mrs. Aileen
DiNino (music, choral & orchestra), Mr. Rueben W. Dutton (music & chorus)

Physical Education: Mr. Harold Auger (swimming), Mr. Jack Brady, Mr. Wade
J. Burgess, Mr. Ray Cagni (basketball & football), Mr. Jack Clark
(baseball & football), Mrs. Barbara Conrad, Mrs. Doris DeLabar, Mr. Jack
Del Bello (football back coach), Mrs. Florence Garth, Mrs. Betty Groven,
Mr. Fredrick Hyrne (basketball & football end coach), Mr. Howard Lipscomb
(head football coach), Mr. Edward Sullivan (football line coach), Mr.
William Swettman (Honor Garde), Miss Georgia Vacalis, Mr. Sheldon Whittle
(head-physical education department)

Science Department: Mr. Fredric Basnett (biology), Mr. William J.
Brewster, Mr. Raymond Cagni,, Mr. Stewart Darrow, Mr. Paul Duncan, Mr.
Perry Farmer (biology), Mr. Louis Garrard, Mrs. Louise Moore (general
science), Mr. Harold Quincy (biology), Mr. Thomas Spencer (biology)

Social Studies: Mr. Jack Clark, Mr. John J. Donahue, Mr. Edwin P. Edge,
Mr. J. Hunter Garth (American history), Mr. Jules Goldberg, Miss
Catherine Grantano (American history), Mr. Russell Handy (civics), Miss
Clyde Jordan, Mrs. Thelma Matheson, Mr. Sol Rabinowitz (civics), Mr.
Chester Rogaski, Mr. Edward Sullivan, Mr. Alan Stratton, Mr. Joseph
Tierney

Mr. Stewart Darrow:

Audrey Alexson sent me an e-mail about five years ago and thought it
would be great to share again because since I originally received it the
newsletter list has grown from about 300 to over 1,000 Pioneers. It’s
about Mr. Darrow and the"Homecoming of 1957". Mr. Darrow was the sponsor
of the Junior Optimist Club, Audrey was our Sweetheart (we had the very
best Sweetheart that year). Audrey also dated our club president,
Fletcher Sessoms (they married in college and are still together).
Student money was always very tight for gas, pizzas, dances, etc.
Fletcher had an old 1941 Ford and Mr. Darrow had a convertible. He loaned
it to Fletch to drive in the homecoming parade with Audrey, as our
Sweetheart, on the back. At the end of the evening when they exchanged
cars again the Darrows were laughing so hard that they had tears running
down their faces as they related that they took Fletch's car for a
romantic spin and ran out of gas. Said it made them feel young when it
happened. Audrey said "They were one in a million". As one on our Class
of 1958 sponsors we all knew that.
Pioneer Notes:
Lynnia Abrams (Class of 1959): Joan Chewning Miller was married to Dr.
Bruce Miller who recently passed away. Joan has traveled extensively with
business in Bali. She has wonderful grandchildren in California. Her
e-mail is on this one to you and hopefully she will enjoy hearing from
all as I am sure they all remember Joan. She is special. Has anyone heard
from Gary Arbeiter, Linda Rehler, Mary Affronte...all from 1957, 1958,
1959 classes. Sincerely, Lynnia (Note: I sent her Gary, Mary and Linda’s
e-mail address)
Mort Altman (Class of 1960): Hi Jim, Thanks again for providing all of us
with the Pioneer newsletter. It gives me a chance to keep up with my
roots. I have a new email address: mnaltman@comcast.net Please include
it in your newsletter. Mort

Jan Clapper (Class of 1958): She is back on chemo and will have her 4th
treatment on the 11th. That may be it. The lump in her neck (where it
seems to always return) went down the first treatment. As long as they
keep ahead of it, she has a normal life expectancy. That is good news.
The cancer center in Abilene is doing just that. Judy Baker, 1957 class.
(Note: I wrote to her sister Judy (Class of 1957) because her e-mail had
bounced. Jan’s new e-mail address is: jbivens1932@peoplepc.com).

Mario D’angelo (Class of 1960): I have just been forwarded your
newsletter for the first time ever. Thanks for your diligence in staying
with the herd. We all appreciate what you have been doing, however, could
you please add me to your mailing list, mcdangelo4@earthlink.net. My
phone is (214) 668-3799. I remember, while reading your letter, that
someone was looking for our Drum Major, Dennis Silkabakken. Dennis has
continued to do well and I last saw Dennis in Ada, Oklahoma where Dr.
Silkabakken is director of bands at East Central Oklahoma State
University. Sorry I don't have his number, but this should help. I look
forward to your updates. Thanks again.

Don Davies (Class of 1958): Hi Jim, You got the right person from the
Class of 1958. It was good to hear from you and read about some of my old
classmates. I haven’t been to a reunion since I graduated. I went into
the military right after school and spent two years in France crewing a
helicopter. After I got out of the military I started school at Rets
Electronics but got called back into the military for the Berlin Crisis.
A year later I went to work for NASA at Langley Research Center in
Virginia and went through their Co-Op program for Aeronautical
Engineering. After that I got hired by IBM at Kennedy Space Center and
worked there all the way through the Apollo Program. I worked for the
Brunswick Corporation both in Deland Florida, and Devils Lake, North
Dakota. I also worked for Boeing and McDonnell Douglas at the Space
Center as a Fluids Engineer on the Shuttle. Two Pioneers who worked there
also was David Karlson who now resides in Georgia, and George Zaffery who
passed away last December in Titusville, Florida after retiring for a
year from Lockheed. I have a Coast Guard Captains license and did airboat
safaris on the St Johns River for awhile. I live in Geneva, Florida and
am about to retire from the Florida Department of Transportation. I
recognized most of the names you mentioned in your letter. That forced me
to break out the Conestoga and reminisce. Feel free to pass on my email
address to any body interested. My address is 103 Jane Creek Drive,
Geneva, Florida 32732. We own both 105 & 103 but are selling 105 so we
can buy some property in Alabama or Georgia and become snow birds.

Ed Delong (Class of 1957): Yes, Jim, we have been receiving your
newsletter and have been enjoying it very much. Thanks for keeping us in
touch. Gloria and I are not in good health. She seems to be going
downhill every day. If she lives to see another birthday in May it will
surprise me. She's on oxygen 24 hours a day and has a serious condition
of congestive heart failure. She has a terrible time keeping the fluids
off and eventually winds up in the hospital. Recently I was diagnosed
with chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. I struggle every day to
gasp another breath of air. I also am on oxygen but can still get around
some. Please put us on your prayer list. Thanks. Ed (Note: I e-mailed Ed
after Peggy Vrooman mentioned that she called and talked to Gloria).

Brian Evers (Class of 1958) and wife Jackie: This is probably the only
notice you will get, we are changing our e-mail address, please change
your records so we don't loose touch. E-mail: brian1222jackie@yahoo.com.
(We finally got DSL). Jackie

Linda Falk (Class of 1959): Hi Jim: Maureen and I were best friends in
school. I heard that she had died! Can you send me information on her
and possibly her e-mail address? Thanks. Linda (Falk) Wharton (Note:
Maureen does not have an e-mail address. I've been asked not to give out
personal information on her. It I get permission I'll give it directly to
you, not in the newsletter).

Fritz aka Frederic Feickert (Class of 1960): Jim, Dorrance published my
book. That makes me a published author two times. My first is named "A
Deep Blue Morning" Tuesday After Next" and "Villa Lago". Three stories in
the same book. My second book has three stories as well. "Casey's Vinyl
Village", "Winslow”, and "A Full Circle". They are all published by Red
Lead Press, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. These two books can be bought
over the internet. I can sure use your help in the "Pioneer" news letter.
Fritz (Note: For additional information contact Fritz at:
fastfreddy1872@sbcglobal.net

Carolyn Gardner (Class of 1960): What a wonderful tribute about Paul.
Thanks for the memories.

Linda Gentile (Class of 1960): Hi Jim, Just want to tell you how much I
enjoy the Pioneer Newsletter. I look forward to reading it. Sure brings
back many memories. I just read a note from Mario De'Angelo. I wonder if
he remembers me. I sure do remember him. Those walks to the bus stop
each morning. For those who might remember me.Linda (Gentile) Atwater. I
recently retired from AirTran Airways as an Inflight Instructor. I taught
Flight Attendant wannabees since 1996. Prior to that I was with several
airlines. I started my career with Pan American World Airways as a Flight
Attendant, had one of those airline romances you hear about. Married a
Pan Am pilot who is now with AirTran Airways, and will retire next month.
I have two sons, Darren and Sean and one grandson. We live in Orlando,
Florida and would love to hear from some Pioneer alumni. My e-mail
address is: OldPanAm@aol.com. Once again, thanks Jim for your informative
newsletter.

Roger Hathaway (Class of 1958): Jim, Please start using my tripledip
address because I am about to walk out the door. On the 31st of August I
will finish my career with NASA and the government with a total of 44
years and 3 month active service. Now I need to find a hobby, best
wishes!!!! (Note: Welcome to the land of the retired. Don’t worry Roger,
you will be as busy as ever).

Peyton Kendall (Class of 1958): Jim, I really enjoy receiving the Pioneer
News Letter each month. I have been off line several days as a result of
changing over to DSL. So if you did send this months issue already please
update my new email address to: peytonkendall@wk.net and if possible
resend the new issue to me. You may give my address to any one on
request. Keep up the good work. As I truly enjoy hearing about the
activities of my old friends and classmates. Thanks, Peyton.

Judy La Rosa (Class of 1960): Jim, thanks for sending my e-mail address
to Marty. I'd love to hear from him. I believe he last time I saw him was
about 1961 when I was working in Washington, D.C. I was having lunch at
the Hot Shopees restaurant when Marty and his folks, on their way to
Europe I think, came in for lunch, too. Small world, eh?

Sonja Lovseth (Class of 1955): Hi Jim, I really enjoyed this last
newsletter (July), coincidentally had recently been to the American
Czeck-Slovak club for the first time and thought it was so interesting. I
had also been in downtown Miami one of the nights Elvis appeared. I was
on a date with my future husband at a movie and we saw the long, long,
lines for the Olympia. I guess at the time we had not known he was going
to be there. Years later when the Olympia was closing as a movie theatre
we took our sons there to see one last movie. I have also enjoyed the
Biscayne Boulevard Times. My youngest son is the General Manager of
Quayside which is a huge residential complex on the Boulevard and 107th
St. I showed him an article somewhere about a large trailer park that
used to be across the street that apparently was quite a place. Just
north of that area a large development is going to be built encompassing
homes, apartments, businesses, etc. This whole NE area is the area that
Sally Heyman (NMHS alumni) represents and is running for re-election. She
has been doing a great job. Miami is a very fascinating and exciting
place. It is not the Miami we grew up in, but in many ways better.

Alvin Marrow (Class of 1958): Jim, Thanks for sending me the information
on the Pioneer Class of '58. Please send me the last issues of the
Pioneer newsletter. Best wishes, Al

Skip McFarland (Class of 1957): As kornet.net's filtering efforts have
made it "one of" if not "THE" least reliable ISP in the world, I was
forced to open a back-up email account while in the States this summer.
So, if you cannot get through kornet's moronic filters, try my backup
address, which is obmcf@cox.net.

Linda Rehler (Class of 1959): Jim, the piece on the 50th anniversary of
Elvis' Miami performances certainly took me back. was a 14 year old
Brooklynite, staying with my family at the Raleigh Hotel for the summer
like we did every year before we moved in 1957. My girlfriend got tickets
for us to see the show and to tell you the truth, I wasn't all that
excited about it. However, when we got there it was a different story.
Kids, mostly girls, were lined up around the block where we waited for
well over an hour. When Elvis finally came on stage, there was such an
uproar I don't know that we actually heard anything. From then on I
understood the power of "the mob" since I was hoarse for a week
afterwards! Your newsletter's great, Jim. Thanks so much for awakening
all these memories.

Paul “Tex” Rinck (Class of 1957): I received an update on Paul from
another classmate but I have not included the information here unless I
get permission from Paul or he sends an update himself. Hopefully, I’ll
print something next month.

Tom Sgro (Class of 1956): Jim, I absolutely loved the wonderful tribute
and play by play at the funeral from Alan Webb, now that was a class act
and very moving---hats off to Allan. Tom

George Smith Class of 1960): Hi Jim, I enlisted in the United States Navy
three days after graduating. In fact, another graduate, Bob Egan was in
my company at boot camp. After a tour in the Bahamas during the early
60’s, I married an absolutely wonderful Miami Edison '63 graduate 42
years ago. I volunteered for submarine duty in 1964, and moved to New
London, Connecticut. In 1965, I was transferred to Washington, DC and
remained there until I retired in 1980 as a Master Chief Sonar
Technician. While on duty in Washington, we lived in McLean, Virginia and
Waldorf, Maryland. In my second career, I continued working on Navy
programs in the Washington area, primarily in acoustics. In 1988, I
transferred to the Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory,
which necessitated a move to the Ellicott City, Maryland area near
Baltimore. We have two great sons, three granddaughters and a grandson. I
still play the trombone in the Columbia Concert Band
(http://www.columbiaband.org), but my life long hobby has been model
railroading. I must reflect a portion of success in my life, to the
education that I received at North Miami. Although the chemistry,
physics, geometry and trig classes represented the backbone of my
careers, my teachers played an important role in my development as a
innovator and speaker (particularly Sol Rabinowitz, Zelma Branhan, Elvin
Albaum, and Robert Alexander). I still have: my concert and marching band
folders; the 1956 NMHS Band Handbook; a Barry College 1958 musical "Make
It Sing" program with some of the NMHS band/orchestra people listed;
marching band charts for the Miami Jackson game at the Orange Bowl; a
large January 1955 photograph of the NMJHS band with Mr. Richards, all
seated in the stands by the football field (many of the1960 class went to
NMJHS for the 8th grade); and a 45 rpm record of the North Miami High
School 1957-1958 Highlights, directed by Elayne Gilbert (I put this on a
CD). (Note: his e-mail is: gsmithho@aol.com)

Marshall Strauss aka Marshall Frank (Class of 1957): Hello Fellow NMHS
alumni - "Brutally Frank: Militant Islam In America", was commissioned
in 2005 by a publisher in Europe for me to research and write about the
invasion of radical forces inside the borders of the U.S. who intend on
converting the nation into an Islamic republic. The book is now being
released I'm sending this e-mail as an early notice to
friends/fans/colleagues who may be interested in this very important
issue. I wish I could write a more personal e-mail, but ..well...there
are so many. I'm also pre-empting a mail-out to hundreds on the mailing
list. For a signed copy of this book, please respond individually via
e-mail, and I'll give you the ordering details. Below, is the back-cover
promo, put out by the publisher. In concise, no-frills style, Militant
Islam In America unveils disturbing revelations about the surreptitious
invasion of the United States by Wahhabi Islamic forces from the Middle
East hell-bent on replacing the Constitution by the Quran. Deftly
researched, powerfully written and politically incorrect, the author
summarizes the bottom line: Under the unwatchful eye of the U.S.
government, the non-peaceful side of Islam is using money, political
influence and the protection of our Bill of Rights to conquer and create
the Islamic Republic of America before the end of this century. Read how:
The proliferation of Wahhabi mosques in the U.S. are serving as a Trojan
Horse; Saudi Arabian ties to American politics portend the downfall of
America; Militant Islam in America is rapidly growing through recruitment
in prisons and colleges; The military, law enforcement and the government
itself has been infiltrated; Children within Islamic institutions are
being indoctrinated to hate America; The American media has fallen prey
to Wahhabi Islamic influence; Political correctness in government is
being used as an effective weapon by our enemies; America's grandchildren
will be subjugated to militant Islam in less than one hundred years.
Marshall Frank www.marshallfrank.com
(Note: For more information contact Marshall at his e-mail address.)

Marty Schram (Class of 1960): Jim -- Do you by any chance have Judy
LaRosa Swanson's e-mail address? Her piece from Mongolia was terrific. As
a journalist, I've been in that part of the world (along Soviet-China
border but not in Mongolia) back in the Cold War and wanted to compliment
her and compare notes. Thanks again for all that you're doing to keep us
all in contact and informed. You've become a one-man nostalgia machine
for us all. It means a lot to so many of us. Marty Schram (Note: I sent
him Judy’s e-mail address)

Kathy Shellahamer (Class of 1958): Long time since I wrote to you. Sorry
I have moved a few blocks. And adjusting to living in a senior citizen
apartment living has been a job too. Health is OK. Would you repeat the
list of accomplishments of Paul G. for all of us. Also could you list all
our other big time accomplishers in Hollywood. So we can ALL APPLAUD
THOSE FOLKS. Whoops! I really enjoy your newsletters. Keep up the great
work! Kathy (Note: I've sent Kathy the information on Paul separately. We
have many from NMHS Pioneers who achieved success in many different
fields. Bill Conti from the Class of 1959 has won some Oscars for his
wonderful music and has led the orchestra at the Academy Awards for the
last few years. Right now we have a large group who have become authors
or famous in their chosen professions).

Shirley Stafford (Class of 1958): Hi Jim: I just visited with Sharon
Madsen former wife of Wayne Chandler at her beautiful lakeside home in
Buffalo, Minnesota. It was great fun to revisit some of our high school
antics. Sharon is surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren and other
family members living the 'good life'. Shirley

Nedra Sulephen (Class of 1958): Hello everyone, Well I'm back, thank
goodness........My computer has been down since the middle of July and I
finally got it back this morning, I am so glad. I missed talking to all
of you. Well I will go for now but keep the e-mails coming. Love you all.
Nedra aka Nicki, for all my FPL buddies. P. S. Nedra’s e-mail address is
the same as before.

Peggy Vrooman (Class of 1957): Hi Jim, My e-mail is acting up so I hope
you get this. As always, thank you so much for undertaking this
newsletter. It means a great deal to us, and I really enjoy it and
appreciate your efforts. You got me hooked on the genealogy, and now I
need all the help I can get, so please put me on your genealogy
newsletter mailing list also. I believe Sue Cox wrote you inquiring about
Ed DeLong. They live right near me here in Sky Valley, so I called the
other day. Ed was down in Atlanta at the VA Hospital, but I had a long
talk with Gloria, and they are really struggling health wise. She said it
would be a real treat to hear from any of the old alums, and it sounds
like they really need a pick-me-up, so please put them on your newsletter
list, and I hope some alums will e-mail them at: edglo@alltel.net. Thanks
again, Jim, Peggy Vrooman Post

Wayne Walker (Class of 1961): Dear Jim-I have made contact with Larry
Ross Wagner. I will ask him if he would like to have his address and
e-mail listed in your news letter. Thanks for keeping his name visible in
the lost section. Wayne

Today’s Chuckle:

A new business was opening and one of the owner's friends wanted to send
him some flowers for the occasion. They arrived at the new business site
and the owner read the card, "Rest in Peace." The owner was angry and
called the florist to complain. After he had told the florist of the
obvious mistake and how angry he was, the florist replied, "Sir, I'm
really sorry for the mistake, but rather than getting angry, you should
imagine this: somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they
have flowers with a note saying, "Congratulations on your new location".

Self CPR (Thanks Judy McCaughan Class of 1958):

What are you to do if you have a heart attack while you are alone? If
you've already received this, it means people care about you ... The
Johnson City Medical Center staff actually discovered this and did an
in-depth study on it in our ICU The two individuals that discovered this
then did an article on it and had it published and have even had it
incorporated into ACLS and CPR classes. It is very true and has and does
work. It is called cough CPR. A cardiologist says it's the truth ... For
your info ...If everyone who gets this sends it to 10 people; you can bet
that we'll save at least one life. Read This...It could save your life!
Let's say it's 6:15 p.m. and you're driving home (alone of course), after
an usually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and
frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest
that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are
only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately
you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. What can you do?
You've been trained in CPR but the guy that taught the course didn't tell
you what to do if it happened to yourself. Since many people are alone
when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed to be in order.
Without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins
to feel faint has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.
However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and
very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the
cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep
inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about very two
seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to
be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and
coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The
squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In
this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital. Tell as many other
people as possible about this, it could save their lives! From Health
Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240s newsletter "AND THE
BEAT GOES ON " (reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. publication, Heart
Response) BE A FRIEND AND PLEASE SEND THIS ARTICLE TO AS MANY FRIENDS AS
POSSIBLE