Update 9-4-07

Hello,

Unfortunately, sad news.

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  Our dear friend and classmate Grace Dibble Kincade passed away last Saturday, August 25, 2007, surrounded by her family and many friends.  A small memorial service will be held this Sunday in Texas, and there will be a larger service held in California shortly after.
        Her husband Larry is compiling a video in celebration of her life.  I have sent him pictures from the reunion, as well as hard copies of us from my Sweet 16.  Grace fought a valiant battle to the very end.
        Larry's address is:  2509 Hillary Trail, Mansfield, Texas, 76063.
   
    From Larry Kincade:  Grace passed away last Saturday after a thirteen-year fight with the Big C.   She battled the hell out of it till the very end.  Any donation should go to the giver's favorite cancer research organization.
   
    From Visalia:  Grace Virginia Dibble Kincade, 60, passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side on August 25, 2007, in Mansfield, Texas.  She was a resident of Visalia, California for twenty-seven years.
        Grace was born on February 23, 1947, to Grace and Walter Dibble in Valley Stream, New York.  She attended Valley Stream schools and earned her bachelor's degree from McMurry College in Abilene, Texas.  In 1976, Grace married Larry Kincade.  During their thirty-one years of marriage, they lived in Anaheim and Visalia, California.  They recently moved to Mansfield to be near their grandchildren.
        Until her retirement in 2005, Grace was an elementary school teacher.  She taught for about twenty years.  Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Grace and Walter Dibble.  She is survived by her husband, Larry Kincade; her daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Brad Whitman; her son and daughter-in-law, Travis and Adrianne Kincade; her son Grant Kincade; her grandchildren, Logan and Cole Kincade; her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Lynne Dibble; and her godmother and aunt, Ellen Meyers.  Grace also leaves behind aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and close friends who loved and admired her.
        Grace was an active member of the Visalia United Methodist Church.  She enjoyed cooking and traveling, but she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.  A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 29, 2007, at the Visalia United Methodist Church, 5200 West Caldwell, Visalia, California.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the cancer research center of the donor's choosing.
   
    [Rich -- I remember Grace most not from homeroom but from Future Teachers of America and Spanish classes.  She was always devoted more to the last two than I ever was and always managed to get to school on time, while I slipped past her to my desk most days just as the bell stopped ringing.  And, of course, I remember her red hair.]
   
    Related, only because I often associate Grace with Irene:  A new e-mail address for Irene Augustin Wehn.  I have a new address and would like to receive the updates.  My address is:  sunnieami@yahoo.com   Thanks.
   
    About the recent lunar eclipse, from Amy Miller:  Here on Sycamore Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, there were clouds that passed in front of the moon just as we got outside to view the eclipse.  Did you get any photos?  Hope you had better a better viewing situation.
   
    [Rich -- A perfect night, with a clear sky, a comfortable hammock, and the dog lying nearby, perhaps wondering why the hell we'd dragged her outside at two in the morning.  And, no, I didn't take pictures.  I leave that to the pros.]

    From Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  I wish I had known about the eclipse beforehand.  Oh, well, I'll catch another one.
        Also, thanks for last week's reminder about the Alumni Association dues.  And the first Association meeting this school year is:  Thursday, September 6th, at 7:15 PM, as usual in South's library.
   
    A question from Peter Rosen:  Do you remember Bobby Freedman?  Was he a class behind us?  Is he still alive, and if so, do you know where he is?  Did he go to Franklin and Marshall?  Thanks, I'll explain later.
   
    [Rich -- As I wrote Peter, Bob was in our class, but I believe he died several years ago.]
   
    And a question from Steve Cahn:  I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer.  South had a great quarterback who, I think, lived on Cloverfield Road in Green Acres.  I can picture his face but can't remember his name.  I seem to recall he got a scholarship to the University of  Maryland, but, again, the information is pretty hazy.  He was in the class of '65 or '66 I think.  Any ideas?  Thanks.
   
    From Jerry Bittman:  This was sent to me by Barnet Zinger and is for the young people of my generation.  It's one of the best presentations of the sixties on the web and is very well done.  Just copy the link and sit back and enjoy the memories.  http://moreoldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheSixties.htm
   
    From Amy Lieberman:  Just to let you know what Billy Valentine is up to.  He's out there more these days now that his new CD, Travelin' Light, is playing on the local jazz station, 88.1.  So in case you're in Los Angeles, have a free night, and want to hear this glorious voice, here are some dates:
        Thursday, September 13, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5985 Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California  90045.  310-642-7500.  6:30 PM -- 10:00 PM.  With the Stuart Elster Trio.  This is a large lounge, easy, no cover charge.  Lots of pilots, flying to and fro, hang out here.
        Monday, September 17, Casa Del Mar Hotel, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, California  90405.
    310-581-5533.  6:30 PM -- 10:00 PM.  This is an even larger lounge, no cover charge, playing against the setting sun over the ocean and the neon lights of the ferris wheel on the pier.
        Friday, September 14, Cafe Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, California.
    818-789-1985.  First set -- 10:00 PM.  Second set -- around 11:30 PM.  With the band Off the Hook.  This is a good ol' funky R&B group.  Better make a reservation to guarantee a seat.  And go a little early.  Have a bite to eat.  This place packs 'em in.
        Hope to see some of you there.  Meanwhile, my best to all.
   
    Finally, from Ira Mitzner:  As to Robert Fiveson's crude comment about the small appliance, I'm stunned that you have not carried out your duties as censor.  Given Fiveson's vicious attack on my manhood, I do note for the record that when I hit him, he cried like a baby.