Update 7-21-09

Hi,

It's weird:  We learned in high school history about the delays in exploring The New World.  So why, on the 40th anniversary of the moon landing, are we surprised that similar people, politics, and financial concerns have delayed exploring Space?
   
    One another subject entirely, from Zelda White Nichols:  All is well except for aging issues.  I just developed two tears in the retina of my right eye last Wednesday.  I was coming out of Costco and all of a sudden had a major problem with thick, wavy, black lines undulating across my right eye like seaweed under water.  I drove right to my eye doctor and underwent laser surgery the next day.  If you ever have anything unusual with your vision, get to your eye doctor immediately.  This was an age-related issue, nothing I could have done would prevent it, and I could have developed a detached retina very quickly if I had not acted so fast.  I have to go for follow-up visits every three days now, but so far it’s looking good.  Ahhh -- the joys of growing older.
   
    [Rich -- Yep, I started seeing white spots in Reno over Christmas and thought it was the occasional snow.  Then it continued indoors.  Got to an eye doctor damn quick.  Turned out tall, white, nearsighted old men are the poster guys for detached retinas -- which, fortunately, I didn't have yet.]
   
    From Dr. Marc Fishman, though not about eyes:  I also remember Ken Willard's guidance.  He told me not to bother applying to McGill University because I would never get in.  With tuition less than 25% of that at United States schools, I applied anyway.  I graduated as a University Scholar and was accepted into McGill's seven-year medical school program.
   
    [Rich -- As I've said before:  I got lucky with Ken Willard.  He was always encouraging me by cheerfully telling me what an underachiever I was and reminding me how easily I could do better.]
   
    From Danny Stellabotte:  It took a while, but here are my memories of Ralph Foster.  Sorry for his loss.
        I have thought of him several times over the years and relate to what he has taught me.  As far as sports are concerned, Ralph Foster taught me more than all the other coaches I had at South.  He was my soccer coach for one year and track coach for about five years.  He drove you hard, but as far as I am concerned, taught you well.  He made you want to win.  Of all the sports I participated in, track was my favorite.  He tried to talk me out of playing football by saying my ankles were too thin.  I didn't listen to him, and although my ankles survived, I had the crap kicked out of me.
        I would like to make mention of a relay team we had in the tenth grade -- David Licht, Eddie Albrecht, Eddie Bonlarron, and me.  If I remember correctly, we, as a relay team, were undefeated that year (tenth grade).  Great memories.
        Now for something funny to do with Ralph Foster's science class.  Does anyone remember when we studied the parts of flowers?  Does anyone know how the flowers got to Foster's class?  Well, I was the one with the big mouth.  My dad was a wholesale florist salesman in New York City, and he brought flowers home so I could take them to school for Foster's class.  Imagine me, carrying flowers to school for science class.  Embarrassing!
   
    From Robert Fiveson, a joke we all probably know which ends, "Damnit, Daddy, it's called The Twist."  Write Robert for details or sic a search engine on it.
   
    From Jean Cohen Oklan:  Hi, all.  When I'm awake in the wee hours of the morn and see the newsletter arrive, I feel as if I got it hot off the press, Eastern time.
        I really do love reading about your lives, past, present, and future.  Up until now, I've hesitated writing my thoughts concerning Ralph Foster because I felt that everyone was getting tired of dissing the guy.  But when a few readers started to defend Foster, I realized he did have an impact on my life, albeit in a small way.
        I believe that every action has a consequence, and although Ralph Foster is gone, consequences of his actions live on, whether they are good or bad.  After all these years, I still remember an event that took place in Foster's classroom when he was teaching pulley systems.  Foster chose the student who was having the most trouble comprehending and constructing pulley systems, and this student was made to stand on a desk in order to rig the systems from a hook on the ceiling.  Foster was barking orders at this student, a guy with a very large build who he nicknamed "Baby Huey."  "Baby Huey" was ridiculed by Foster in front of the class every step of the way, and Foster made sure the class laughed at all the mistakes.  I was afraid not to laugh.  So Foster's consequences have lived on.
        Obviously, Ralph Foster cannot defend himself, but that doesn't matter to me.  He was responsible for his actions, and the fact that he had a rough early life may be why he did what he did, but, in my opinion, that should not be a reason for my forgiveness but only a tool for my understanding.  The consequences of his actions that have classified him as a full-fledged prick are valid and live on, and let that be a lesson to us all.  And I'm thankful that these stories have surfaced because all these years I thought I was the only one who felt there was something very wrong happening in that classroom.
   
    [Rich -- Oh, yikes.]
   
    From Denise Frango Baxter-Powell:  Please note my new e-mail address -- dpowell0527@me.com
    Thank you very much.
   
    From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  A food tip from a good friend.  Check it out.  www.couponclipper.com  Go to the site and do a search on "restaurants" or whatever shopping coupons you are interested in.  Type in your zip code, and, voila, coupons.  No one ever needs to eat at home again.
   
    [Rich -- Finally, Robin Singer Taylor, Paulinda Schimmel, Paul Zegler, and I will be having lunch on Thursday, July 30th at 1 PM at the Marmalade Cafe, 14910 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, California  91403.  If you happen to be in Los Angeles and happen to be free, please come join us.]
   
    The South '65 e-mail addresses:  reunionclass65.blogspot.com
   
   
    Rich