Update 1-1-13

Hi,

 

Happy New Year.  I told you I'd be back in time to wish you that.  In between, I had two weeks mainly disconnected from mail and the Internet.

 

First, from Allan Moss:  Moss in Maine here.  Just digging out from our first winter Nor'easter here in Maine.  About of foot of snow, with brisk winds and temps in the teens.

    Love my little home town during this season.  I live in the older part of town, down the street from Bowdoin College.  Many houses on my street are circa 1920s/1930s, including some original Sears Craftsman homes.  We have lots of old growth pine trees, so when the snow falls, it really does look like a holiday card scene.  Add to that the folks ice skating on our man-made pond on the village green by our old fashioned gazebo, and Brunswick just about becomes a stereotype of "ye olde New England town."

    Counting down to just about two months to my retirement from my state of Maine position.  I am clearly ready.  Will miss some of the folks that I work with in the state capitol but will not miss that 300 mile-a-week commute to-and-from work.

    Plans are already in high gear for post-employment.  Got a confirming e-mail from one of the Bowdoin College classics professors who has given her permission for me to audit several of her classes in Greek and Roman Mythology and Theatre.  Took some of those courses when I was an undergraduate and found them some of the best of the four-year stint.  Looking forward to getting back into classroom mode.

    Suggestion for some winter reading:  James T. Patterson's new book, The Eve of Destruction:  How 1965 Transformed America.  Fascinating account of the political and cultural issues that were swirling and percolating around us as we graduated from South High.  Reading it has been a truly "we were there" experience.

    OK, time to bundle up and take the Beagle boys for a brisk but short walk!  Happy and Healthy 2013 to all.

 

Next, from Zelda White Nichols:  We are leaving for the beach today for a week, so just want to wish everyone a very happy new year.  I will have both ipad and ipod with me so I can receive your e-mails, and I will be thinking of all of you.

    Sorry I haven’t been in touch, but my husband and I have been sick since before Christmas.  Dave has completely lost his voice but still insists in going to our beach house.  He did sound better yesterday, and, hopefully, I will be better soon, too, but it’s just one of those bugs that everyone seems to have now.

 

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  Assuming we are all reading this safely at home or wherever you pick up your e-mails, and we have survived the 12/21/12 Mayan calendar fail, please allow me to wish everyone a wonderful, happy, healthy new year.

 

Barbara later added:  Recalling the past days of holiday joys and mixed world sorrows and with the coming new year, I am remembering Anne Frank's words, “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

    I wish you all a time of sweet, self-reflection on all the good in this world, and the strength and ability to live past the bad, taking only the the best into the new year.  May every step you take as you walk into the new year be blessed with good friends, health, prosperity and a warm glow to light your path along the way.  and may we all stay safe and happily together, enjoying and sharing each week.  2013 hugs.

 

Peggy Cooper Schwartz mentioned in passing:  My husband, Les, and I began 2012 with the birth of our grandaughter, Leah, and we are ending the year with the joyful arrival of a grandson, Aaron.  He was born to our daughter and son-in-law in northern New Jersey on December 5th, and he's our 5th grandchild.

    May 2013 be a year of health, happiness, and fun for all of you.

 

From Peter Shapiro:  I forwarded these photos to my sister, Joanne, and she thought you might be interested as well.  I expect many of the photos will resonate with you younger folks in the class of '65!  LOL.  Best regards to everyone for the holidays.

 

[Rich -- Since Peter forwarded the photos, I can't include the exact link.  But doing a quick Internet search yielded a link to a site that included many of the photos.  The other two links lead to more photos of the period.  If you want the exact forward Peter sent, please write him at:  borregomax @ yahoo . com

 

directorblue . blogspot . com/2010/01/baby-boomers-time-machine . html

 

coolpicturegallery . net/2010/03/rare-photos-of-celebrities . html

 

imgur . com/a/QyU0e   (please remove the spaces)

 

Finally, and I know all kids don't turn out this way, but the almost middle-aged, previously seemingly conservative son of my college roommate just robbed a bank.  Yep, with a handgun.  Then he foolishly used the clearly red-dye-marked bills to support his strip club habit.

    He's currently in jail, waiting trial, making the world just a very little bit safer for rest of us.

 

The South '65 e-mail addresses: reunionclass65 . blogspot . com

 

The South '65 photo site: picasaweb . google . com / SouthHS65

 

 

Rich