'48

12/21/12 - end of the world was supposed to be today? Maybe?
Ti's truly a white Christmas here (Clifton, CO) with close to zero temperatures. Ho? Ho?
Supposed to warm up (coming of Hell?) before Santa is supposed to comes to town. Too, if someone took Santa out of Christmas that would surely certify that we 've experienced the end of the world. Don't you think?
Oh well.
Breaking news?
Vicki and I have been well, active and have had several visits from and with family members from far away, and close by. Of special note, we did an early Oct. 21st Thanksgiving by driving to Madison, WI for a large family celebrated turkey dinner at Vicki's brother's house in Edgerton, WI. Weather was great (gets bad about middle of November in WI), and we both enjoyed the October drive. We do note that there are changes taking place in our lives, like the many new friends we've been making by now going to Library and Church related Book Review meetings to replace our diminishing number of hiking, rafting, camping, hunting, and tennis playing friends. Life does change as we get older, but this is the time of the year we like to sit around with old and new friends to talk about all of our past adventures - which includes you.
Thinking of you, Vicki and George

1948 MAD comrade news reported in the Wildcat Alumni bulletin of November 2011: Robert Broadway reports from Orville, Calif. he retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1980. Art Wilson reports from Blyth, CA he retired after 27 years from a law enforcement career and has recently self-published “Runways in the Sand”- a World War II history of the Blythe Army Air Base. Cleo Eyre Teissedre is living in Tucson, AZ, still painting and adding her photography art to the mix she has on display in selected art galleries. James O. McCallum is living in Sun Lakes, Banning, CA, playing slow pitch baseball and bowling in two senior bowling leagues in Moreno Valley. Andrew Stephen “Steve” Marshal is living in Granite Bay, CA in a comfortable care home near two of his seven children. Steve says he welcomes news from old friends. Notes can be mailed to Steve at “9890 Village Center Drive, Granite Bay, CA – 95746,” and e-mails to marshmob@surewest.net. Bob Humble and Marilyn Lambert Humble celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary. Bob writes he is looking forward to next year’s football season.

From an e-mail: Father James Miller writes that he was born and raised in Wisconsin, but having spent a good bit of time in California he no longer appreciates Wisconsin winters. But, he does have parishioners who go ice fishing and provide him with supplies of filleted blue gills. Jim writes he had nineteen of them for dinner the other night, and although small they are terribly good. And, that he will be off in another couple of weeks for a Caribbean cruise, signing off with his best to all and wishing us all a bountiful New Year.

Vicki & I are just back from trip to San Angelo, TX with adventure of nipping off a piece of the recent blizzard at Clines Corner, NM. Good to be home again, and catch up on our e-mail.

Pretty much in a routine the past several years, with our regular activities keeping us happily busy, entertained, and productive. Retirement is still a time of being busy! Attendance at performing arts center events and symphony, visits to our usual vacation spots of Palm Desert, beachfront Cayucos, and Bodega Bay, and an occasional longer trip, such as a cruise to New England and Eastern Canada. The gym still gets our presence most weekdays, I follow a typically errant golf ball around weekly, and I always have a model train project or two to keep my attention. Our children and grandchildren are all doing great – active long term professions for our son and daughter and spouses, and always another grade for the grandchildren. Here’s a Fall 2010 photo from Halifax:

The seasonal rush and mental/physical ravages of advancing age have forced me to use e-mail once again. Regardless, MM and I wish you Merry Christmas and a grand New Year!
Winter is trying to force itself upon us, but weakly - we got our first dusting of snow this week. The year was quiet, except for the stress (MM) of moving our home to a retirement community comprised of a large number of, mostly doddering, Cornell professors (307 Savage Farm Drive, Ithaca NY 14850) and getting over a wee bit of surgery (St. Pat’s Day). All’s now coming along well- the bovine aortic valve is chugging along well (pigs are now out – too many failures). The docs haven’t figured out new brains yet.
MM and I send our warmest wishes for happiness and good health!

PS: Remember any of the people in the attachment? I’m the short, fat assey-looking nerd with the sweater - in the back row. 7th Grade (7-B); Miss Johnson; First Avenue School ~1942

E-Mails with Skippy Carmichael

"As for concerns, I’m recovered from my heart surgery – at least I function ok. I hope. We got the edge of Hurricane Irene – rain and wind – but no substantial damage. Actually, we need the rain. We have two sons who live on Long Island – they were fortunate, with little damage. One son is still in the Adirondacks, that got soaked, and doesn’t know about his fishing boat yet. Neighbors said the home was ok, which is of most concern. Whatever, hurricanes are a bitch and Vermonters aren’t prepared - why , most believe, should they. Many perceive the East Coast as North-South; it’s not, and Boston often gets whacked along with Cape Cod. Helps the building industry and keeps the boat builders/repair guys busy. I feel for the poor Southern dirt farmers, etc., who really get beat up at regular intervals.
Hope you are enjoying a fine summer – it’s almost Fall here; ragweed is out."
Skippy.C

Picture of Donald & Alice Gallogly from June 2011 Caribbean cruise:

Smiling Chris:
Thanks for your e-mail. I am sorry for your loss, as you say Ted Early, although I don't quite get the "brother" bit. If your e-mail address means anything you are about 10 years younger than Ted Early and myself, and you suggest your last name is Russell. ?? Then, as for the "Gone and Not Forgotten Column" on the '48 web page, I have never had responsibility for those posting, and I resist the idea of topping our whoop-tee-do stuff with death notices. To be clear, the whoop-tee-do stuff on the '48 page is all volunteered, no one gets paid, and we are not setting any internet records for hits. Might be the "me" factor, for which I have repeatedly ask to pass the job on to another classmate. Unfortunately, the status of our '48 classmates is not very good for approx. 90% of us. Those of that are hanging on are grumpy, arthritic, can't see too well, etc.. As for me, I';ve got a lot of those problems too, but I like the idea of celebrating every day of life we have left in us. We had a turnout of 28 at the Midway All Class Reunion in San Diego (did you go?) - with spouses that left a count of about 14 of us who were actually '48 classmates. We had a wonderful time, and give such great thanks to Jim Regan and his committee for that wonderful opportunity. Life is good, and believe me, we do miss the other 398 of our '48 classmates who were not there at the reunion. . I've received notice of two more dear friends passing away during the last 30 days - without anybody to replace them. I am saddened by the passing of each person I have known, even though I know we are all of and from an eternal spirit to which we must all eventually return to again. In the interim, life is good. It is a time to celebrate, and to be together.
As for your brother (?), I knew him as a classmate and respect your expression of sadness for your loss of his association by way of his passing. I do pray Ted Early does rest in peace, and that you may do so also.
If you wish, you can send me your mailing address and phone number and I will glad to give you a phone call and discuss any other aspect of your e-mail message I have not answered for you.
Sincerely, George Harpole :-)
P.S. I am forwarding this correspondence to our MAD web page Editor for posting on the '48 page - at his discretion. I am also sending copies to our other '48 classmates.
gh

On 8/24/2011 11:14 PM, Smilinchris70@aol.com wrote:

George,

I am wondering what it takes to get a classmate who has died, if not the information about them that was sent to you, at least into the Gone But Not Forgotten list. About 1 1/2 yrs ago I sent you a obit notice with some info about my brother Ted Earley.... To my knowledge you never put anything in about him and he is still not listed as Gone But Not Forgotten. Did you know who Ted was and didn't like him or what? You sent back a note to me when I wondered about this a year ago and you said some inane thing about not putting everybody in because it was depressing or some such thing. I want you to know that your not putting the notice that he is "Gone" is hurtful to those of us who loved him. We know he had friends who would be interested in the news even though you perhaps are not. I would like to know what criteria you use to determine whether or not to acknowledge this kind of information. Everyone who was in the class of "48" should be acknowledged when they pass.

I look forward to your helping me understand the above situation.

Sincerely,

Chris Earley Russell