Archives
Click! - Only in This World! (Courtesy of Becky Richardson)
2/8/05 Some of this might be quite helpful.
1/16/05 Latest from Charles Spallino shown below.
Heinz Vinegar To heal bruises... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.
1/16/05
From C. Spallino
A college student at a recent USC football game challenged a senior citizen sitting next to him, saying it was impossible for their generation to understand his. "You grew up in a different world," the student said loud enough for the whole crowd to hear. "Today we have television, jet planes, space travel, man has walked on the Moon, our spaceships have visited Mars, we even have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing ...and uh.."
Taking advantage of a pause in the student's litany, the geezer said, "You're right. We didn't have those things when we were young; So we invented them, you little twit! What are you doing for the next generation??"
Lovely Rose at 87
The first day of school our professor introduced
himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around >
when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.
I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady
beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose.
I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.
"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..."
"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.
"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.
We became instant friends. Every day for the next
three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening
to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went.
She loved to dress up and she reveled in the
attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet.
I'll never forget what she taught us. She was
introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."
As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.
We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.
The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets"
She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose."
She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and
live them out in our daily lives.
At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her
funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.
When you finish reading this, please send this
peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it!
These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.
REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Subject: Three things in life...
Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -
Time, Words & Opportunity
Three things in life that may never be lost -
Peace, Hope & Honesty.
Three things in life that are most valuable -
Love, Faith & Prayer
Three things in life that are never certain -
Dreams, Success & Fortune
Three things that make a man -
Hard work, Sincerity & Commitment
Three things in life that can destroy a man -
Lust, Pride & Anger
Three things that are truly constant -
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today;
to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way.
His love is always with you, His promises are true.
And when you give Him all your cares, you know He'll see you through.
______________________________________________
Charles Spallino
A most interesting bit of history
Subject: TAPS
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which TAPS were played; this brings out a new meaning of it. Here is something EVERY AMERICAN should know. TAPS We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, eartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born. The words are:
... Day is done
... Gone the sun
... From the lakes
... From the hills
... From the sky
... All is well
... Safely rest
... God is nigh
... Fading light
... Dims the sight
... And a star
... Gems the sky
... Gleaming bright
... From afar
... Drawing nigh
... Falls the night
... Thanks and praise
... For our days
... Neath the sun
... Neath the stars
... Neath the sky
... As we go
... This we know
... God is nigh.
I too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before. REMEMBER THOSE
LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces.. Please send this on after a short
prayer. Prayer wheel for our soldiers...please don't break it.
7/29/04 Received this from friend in Alabama
Thought you might enjoy it.
God's voice mail
Most of us have now learned to live with voice mail as a necessary part of our lives. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing the following:
Thank you for calling heaven.
For English press 1
For Spanish press 2
For all other languages, press 3
Please select one of the following options:
Press 1 for request
Press 2 for thanksgiving
Press 3 for complaints
Press 4 for all others
I am sorry, all our Angels and Saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and we will answer it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line.
If you would like to speak to:
God, press 1
Jesus, press 2
Holy spirit, press 3
To find a loved one that has been assigned to heaven press 5, then enter his social security # followed by the pound sign.
(If you receive a negative response, please hang up
and dial area code 666)
For reservations to heaven, please enter JOHN followed by the numbers, 3: 16.
For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, life and other planets, please wait until you arrive in heaven for the specifics.
Our computers show that you have already been prayed for today, please hang up and call again tomorrow.
The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.
If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please
contact your local pastor.
Thank you and have a heavenly day.
3/31/04
Word has been received that Walter Olin died on 3/23/04. We extend the sympathy of the class to his wife Barbara (Bobs) and to his children and
grand children.
3/05/04
We just learned of the death of Frank James Martell. We have no additonal information at this time. The class extends its sympathy to wife Carol and the family.
2/4/04 Al Hormel had a call from Edna Eves telling him that her husband Wayne P. Eves died. We have no more information at this time.
1/19/04 We learned today of the death of
Ralsey B. Scofield on January 16th after
a long ilness. More details will be posted
when learned. He was a personal friend
and I shall miss seeing him and his wife
Liz at reunions. The class sends her
and his family our sincere condolences.
Ez Hale's wife Pat died 11/15/03
Services for Pat were held onThursday, Nov. 20 at the Third Presbyterian Church, #4 Meigs St., Rochester, NY 14607 Contributions may be made to the Adirondack Medical Center, c/o Cheryl Randall, Saranack Lake, NY 12983 or the charity of your choice.
Pat and Ez were very active with Class 1944. She will be missed. Our condolences to Ez and
his family.
From Tom Thomson, D"75 T"79
Herbert Bruce Thomson, Jr.
Herbert Bruce Thomson, Jr., died November 17 at home following a long illness. He was the beloved husband of Persis Owen Thomson, the father of three devoted children, and an inspiration to ten adoring grandchildren.
He was born November 4, 1921, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Lynchburg-area natives Herbert Bruce and Elizabeth Kabler Thomson, and Lynchburg became his home in the late thirties when his family returned to the area and acquired Ivy Hill Farm in Forest. He also spent much time with close friends on the Cowpasture River in Bath County, Virginia, and at Hilton Head, South Carolina. He will be remembered for his generosity of spirit, devotion to service, and willingness to help anyone who sought his counsel.
Mr. Thomson graduated from Virginia Episcopal School, Dartmouth College and the Amos Tuck School of Business, and he carried through life a love of learning and education that was reflected in his service as a board member, trustee of or advisor to Lynchburg College, Virginia Episcopal School, Seven Hills School and Randolph Macon Woman's College. An active member of First Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg since 1938, he served as Deacon, Elder and Trustee.
Mr. Thomson served in the United States Air Force in Europe during and after World War II. He joined his father in the employment of Continental Can Company in 1946 and developed friends in the Coca-Cola bottling business all over the country in his capacity as a sales representative for Continental Can's bottle cap division. Following his father's untimely death in 1953, he assumed management responsibility for several Coca-Cola bottling plants in which the family had interests. He was an Emeritus Member of the board of directors of Atlantic Rural Exposition, Inc., the Richmond-based non-profit organization that sponsors the State Fair of Virginia and the Strawberry Hill Races, having served as an active board member and Trustee for 36 years. He also served for many years as a director of the predecessor to SunTrust Bank in Lynchburg, originally the First National Bank of Lynchburg, and he was a Director and Vice President of South Roanoke Nursing Home.
Mr. Thomson is survived by his wife, Persis Owen Thomson; daughter Persis T. Tinsley and husband John S. Tinsley of Lynchburg; and sons Doniphan O. Thomson and wife Donna of Atlanta and H. B. Thomson III and wife Catherine of Richmond; and grandchildren Sutton, Stuart and Collin Tinsley of Lynchburg, Jim, Bruce and Rob Thomson of Atlanta, and Catey, Ginna, Elizabeth and Susannah Thomson of Richmond. He is also survived by his sisters, Emmy Lou Thomson of Lynchburg and Elizabeth Thomson Herbert of Delaplane.
The family will receive visitors at home on Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, followed by interment at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, St. Stephens Church Road, Forest, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Hospice of the Hills, or Virginia Episcopal School. Mr. Thomson was, and the family is, eternally grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support expressed by so many and for the loving attention provided by all of his caregivers in recent months.
Our class sends its condolences to his family.
On Friday 8/22/03 a service of remembrance
and celebration of the life of William "Swampy" Marsh '44 was
held at the Quechee Community
church. A gathering of his friends, members of community of Quechee,
and Dartmouth College filled the church. Many knew Swampy as classmate, fraternity
brother, as a senior society member as a comrade in arms and as a friend in
the community at large. To the delight of all present Swampy's children and
grandchildren expressed their devotion through both tears and
laughter. Many of his oft repeated oneliners resurfaced. A memorable
one is 'the number of horse's asses in this world far outnumbers the number
of horses'. Attributed to him "he was the original Archie Bunker" and
also was considered to be "the unofficial mayor of Quechee". '44s
attending
included: (I hope I have not missed any) Steve Tate, Helena Burdge, The
Clint Gardners', Jean Allen, the Henry Hydes', Anne Hier, the Robert
McLaughrys', Dick Whiting. the Burt Bickfords', the William Barretts',
the Jack Corroons', Wemo Epply, and Eric Barradale. Our hearts go out to
Blanche.
10/22/03 Tony Green is now a co-webmaster with me and an honorary member of the Class of 1944. He most certainly deserves this status.
Tony plans to add an archives addition to the website where we can store old class news and reunion items, facts from the Sad News Page as well as older Bits and Bytes sayings etc. Thus, should you want to look up an old bit of information, you will be able to do so.
10/18/03
Subject: It Takes an Italian Man to Make a Woman Feel Like a Woman.
On a recent transatlantic fli.ght, a plane passes throu.gh a severe storm.. The turbulence is awful and things go from bad to worse when one wing is struck by lightning.
One woman in particular loses it. Screaming, she stands up in the front of the plane.
"I'm too young to die," she wails. Then she yells, "Well, if I'm going to die,
I want my last minutes on earth to be memorable! Is there ANYONE on this plane who can make me feel like a WOMAN?"
F'or a moment there is silence. Everyone has forgotten their own peril. They all stared, riveted, at the desperate woman in the front of the plane.
Then an Italian man stands up in the rear of the plane. He is gorgeous: tall, well built, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He starts to walk slowly up the aisle, unbuttoning his shirt one button at a time.
........No one moves.
........He removes his shirt.
........Muscles ripple across his chest.
. ......She gasps...
........He whispers:
........”Iron this, and get me something to eat!!!”
10/17/03 From Monte Basbas
School Children
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah". The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill..."
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of Grandma's hairs are white?"
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.' A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, She's dead."
A teacher was giving a class on the circulation of blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.." "Yes," the class said. "Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?" A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."
From your webmaster
8/27/03
I want to let my classmates and widows know that I have published
75 of my late wife Ruth's
poetry in the book "As I Choose."
Ruth was a brilliant writer of poetry
and children's stories some of which
have been published previously, but this was the first major
effort.
It's a beautiful book that I hope will lead to her being known as a great poet someday. It will sell in the bookstores for $14.95.
I have sold my supply to interested parties and have donated the proceeds to our class treasury. This will amount to a bit more than $1250.00 plus
a matching gift from my former employer. This I do in Ruth's memory.
Also from your webmaster
I enjoyed a great visit with Chuck and Becky Richardson at their summer home in Wells Maine. It's a beautiful beach! Chuck and I drove down a few miles to see Don Burnham at his fabulous home. It was good to see these old friends again after many years and to enjoy Maine Lobster and New England clam chowder.