THIS IS E-NOTICE 2002-9 OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2002

Hello Hornets!

Here are some items that might be of interest:

1. COMPUTERS AND PRINTERS STILL NEEDED. Thanks to your efforts, the School's computer capacity has gone, in the space of one short year, from about the mid-20th century to the mid-1990s. Now, with your continuing help, we're really trying to push to bring that capacity fully into the 21st century.

Could I ask each of you who work outside the home to track down the "Property Manager", the "I/S Manager", the "Technology Director", etc. where you work to inquire about whether your employer has any surplus computer equipment, including printers and the like, that it would consider donating (on a tax deductible basis, of course) to the Foundation? Please direct any questions to me at hsmith@smithdowney.com. We'd really like the 2002-2003 school year to be the year that the Foundation's efforts in this area reach their ultimate objective. Many thanks for considering this request.

And speaking of computers, the Foundation would like to offer a very heartfelt thank you to Bill Casey, Sandy Dillworth and Ed Scheve at CareFirst Insurance (formerly Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland) who arranged for a donation to the Foundation of 25 IBM/Pentium PCs, monitors and keyboards. Those computers have already been delivered to the School and are finding good homes around the building as I write this. Many thanks, CareFirst!!

2. FOUNDATION "WISH LIST". In addition to our continuing efforts to bring the School's computer equipment up to standard, the Foundation is seeking several other "gently used" (or new) items that the School needs and that one or more of you might happen to have a line on. (Of course, these donations, like all donations to the Foundation, are made on a tax-deductible basis.) Here are the items: miscellaneous office furniture; chemistry lab equipment, calculators, and for the School's great (but under-supplied) Marching Band, two Sousaphones, two baritone horns, and two marching band F horns. If you've got any ideas about where the Foundation might acquire these needed items, we'd love to hear them.

3. THANKS '06 PARENTS! I'm delighted to report that an intrepid band of parents of members of the great Class of 2006 has formed to help out with two Foundation initiatives -- a "light gardening" and on-going "spruce-up the schoolyard" project, and an effort to tap employers of 2006 parents about possible computer equipment and office furniture donations. The parents plan to meet at 6 p.m. on 9/26/02 in the Media Center at the School. We really appreciate this group of new Surratts parents pitching-in right away to help out with the work of the Foundation!

Any other '06 parents (or other parents, or anybody else) interested in joining these efforts are encouraged to send me an email at hsmith@smithdowney.com and to attend the 9/26 meeting.

4. HORNET'S ART FEATURED AT TWO SHOWS. The work of Hornet artist Harry Revis (57) currently is being featured at two shows. The first is at the North End Gallery in Leonardtown and runs through September 6th. The second is at the MFA City Gallery, 330 North Charles Street in Baltimore, and runs through September 20. The works Harry submitted for these shows include vases and bowls of various sizes and styles, some with epoxy inlays and some segmented with multiple types and colors of wood. I hope many of you will be able to check out Harry's great work at these shows.

5. CAPITOL ROCK, PART II. I received this very interesting note from Mark Opsasnik, author of Capitol Rock, in response to the item in the last e-Notice about his recently revised magnum opus: "Dear Henry: Thanks for the kind words regarding Capitol Rock. Surrattsville Junior High School and Senior High School were two of the area's most important spawning grounds for young musicians during the late 60s and early 70s. It wasn't just that all the top teen club bands played there; it was the fact that more musicians came out of the junior high senior high system there than any other school in the county. From what I've been told, most of the bands that worked the Surrattsville teen clubs consisted of musicians from the Clinton and Surrattsville. Certainly the area deserves in depth treatment [in a history of rock and roll in the DC area]. What separates Surrattsville from the rest (as far as I'm concerned) is that DC Star emerged from the scene and really achieved greater heights than just about any band from the county. They covered some amazing ground, including working arenas as an opening band for some top national acts. I really believe that if MTV had picked up the video for their single "I Wanna Rock Tonite" the band would have had a legitimate Top 40 hit on their hands. Certainly, The Tuesday Boots and Butler's Orchard were great in their own right, but neither band had the longevity and consequently both broke up before they could pursue recording contracts and concert work outside of the DC area. It would be great to see an article on the whole Clinton area music scene circa 1965 1975. The Alive and Kicking concert at the Surrattsville Teen Club in 1970 would definitely have made the book if I had known about it before publication. Their single "Tighter and Tighter" hit #7 on Billboard in July 1970. Thanks for the mention of the book in the e-Notice. Sincerely, Mark Opsasnick"

In the last e-Notice, I failed to mention Mark's own great web site at www.capitolrock.com. It's a great place to learn more about Capitol Rock, and Mark's other projects. I know those of you interested in this topic would really enjoy visiting the site.

Finally, I imagine that some of you saw the glowing article about Mark and Capitol Rock in the Weekend Section of the Washington Post on August 23. I'm proud to say that Surrattsville's own DC Star was mentioned in that article. Eric Brace, author of the article, noted Mark's "encyclopedic knowledge" of the popular music scene in the DC area from 1952 through 1976, and added that Capitol Rock "should be read by anyone who cares about popular music or cultural history or both".

Congratulations again to Mark on his great book, and thanks to him for giving Surrattsville its popular music due!

6. WEB SITE OF HORNET SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE. I came across this the web site being maintained by the supporters of John Pilkins (61), who is running for House of Delegates in Anne Arundel County. Friends and classmates of John, and those of you interested in State politics, might want to check out the site at www.electjohnpilkins.com. Congratulations go to John for his public service efforts!

7. WEB SITES OF POSSIBLE INTEREST. Wayne Tatum (74), a Surrattstock performer and a true internet expert, sent the following email that might be of interest to some of you web surfers: "Dear Henry: Here is a web site for lost and found class rings: http://www.geocities.com/hit_man_j/Class_Ring_Finder.html. Also, here's a web site for "aging boomers": http://www.bbhq.com. I thought these might be of interest. Wayne"

8. CALLING ALL CLASSICAL (AND OTHER) MUSICIANS. I received this neat note from Kenneth Martin (65): "Dear Henry: Thanks for keeping all Surrattsvillians in touch with each other. In the last e-Notice you had a lot of information about rock musicians from SHS. You also wondered how many "professional musicians" came from the training of Richard Mortimer. I just want to point out that not all of the "professional musicians" produced by SHS have been in rock groups. Of course, 2002 Achievement Award winner Gordon Hawkins (76) is a world-renowned opera singer. Also, I am a professor of music at Campbellsville University School of Music in Campbellsville, Kentucky, where I teach Voice and classroom courses in Church Music and conduct the University Chorale (auditioned touring choir) and sometimes the Concert Chorus (larger "oratorio" choir). While at Surrattsville (1962 1965), I sang in the Chorus under Mrs. Jean Morehead (who also was our speech teacher and the sponsor of the debate team that I was on, so she had a lot of influence on my education). Mrs. Morehead also taught senior Advanced English. So, I had her for a class (Speech) and Chorus in 11th grade and I had her for a class (English) and Chorus again in 12th grade. She was quite a "character," as was our French teacher, Col. Thomas Young (he had retired from teaching French at West Point after a career in the US Army that extended back to World War I we loved to get him to tell us his "war stories". I am sure there must be many other "classical" or "traditional" musicians among our SHS alumni, as well as all the rock musicians who have made such a significant impact in the DC area and elsewhere. Thanks again for your efforts on behalf of Surrattsville High. Sincerely, Dr. Kenneth Martin (SHS Class of '65), Professor of Music, Campbellsville University School of Music, 1 University Drive UPO 1309, Campbellsville KY 42718, 270/789 5340 kmartin@campbellsvil.edu www.campbellsvil.edu/~kmartin/cu.htm."We'd love to have more information about Surratts musicians who have gone on to pursue that calling on a professional basis, and about the sources of their inspiration, like Mr. Mortimer and Mrs. Morehead.

9. HORNET HOOP COACH EXTENDS KIND OFFER. I recently received this nice email from Todd Fong (80), toddfong@hotmail.com: "Hello Henry: Just wanted to let you know that our College of Southern Maryland men's basketballl schedule has been posted on our web site at www.csmd.edu click onto athletics and then men's basketball. Any Surratts alumni that want to come to a home game please contact me and I will give them complimentary ticket for the game. Thank you again. Also we at Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southern Maryland are still looking for more volunteers to help bring a little magic to the youngster of Southern Maryland and surrounding areas, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Todd, Men's Basketball Coach, College of Southern MD, 301 870 3008, 1 800 933 9177"

10. MEMORIES OF MR. PRYDE. I received this fascinating email from Shirley Wilson Fazekas, b.fazekas@att.net: "Hello Henry: Yesterday, while looking for records for my genealogy work, I came across the articles written about John Pryde and wife Betty Black White. It was of great interest to me for two reasons. Mr. Pryde was the Principal of Martin School which I and my siblings attended from grades 1 through 8. The second reason is that I have found that my famiy is related to him through our Shawley Line originating in Centre County. A few years ago, my husband and I met with Jim Shawley in Lancaster and we spoke of his uncle John Pryde. He told us that he went to Maryland, bought a farm and taught in that area. I also have many stories to relate about Mr. Pryde. (he will always be Mr. to me). He was a very unusual, inventive and inspiring person. Some of the things that he incorporated into our school were so wonderful and different. For instance, he introduced the school to operas, which he played while teaching his music class. Once a year he produced an all school operetta where everyone was used in some capacity. I remember I could play very simple piano selections and I was given a part...such a simple piece but I was inspired to give it a grand, embellished ending that I made up myself. I can laugh about this now. It was so funny. We had a few folks who had wonderful voices and they were encouraged also. This was something that everyone attended...a big event. In my class, some of us were chosen to paint murals on ceiling high , four feet wide , panels . These were fairytale characters Jack in the bean stock, three little pigs, little red riding hood, etc. These were hung on the first floor of the building I wish I could see them now. I wonder if they still exist. I will bother you with just one more story. Our school had a very large paned window on the landing between the first and second floor. At Christmas time, we divided each pane into small pieces, made paper cutouts that fit those panes and colored them bright colors. He placed a huge spotlight behind the window and from the outside, it looked like a large stained glass window. We had scap drives, contests to see how many savings stamps we could buy, all for the War effort during the second world war. He also had a very strict sense of discipline and more than once applied these principles to the backside (not mine). I can still see him walking up the hall and hear the click of his leather heels on the hall floor. He was a very handsome young man with very black hair smoothed back from his face. Nicely dressed and an overall imposing figure. I am delighted to have found the articles written about him and I am passing these on to my siblings and classmates who remember Martin School so well. We still meet once a year in the local park for lunch. Blessings, Shirley Wilson Fazekas, 3001 Fairway Street, Lower Burrel, PA 15068"

11. SURRATTSTOCK PHOTOS. Thanks to many of you who have sent in photos, there are a number of new photos from the fantastic Surrattstock event on the web site at www.surrattsville.org. Thanks to all of you who took the time to send in those great shots!

12. GIFTS TO THE SCHOOL. This summer, the Foundation was proud to be able to provide the School with two badly-needed, commercial grade carts for the main office personnel (who have been so helpful to the Foundation since its inception), to provide a $500 grant to the fantastic Cheerleading Squad so they can represent the School at out-of-State functions, and to provide a badly-needed heavy-duty printer for the Guidance Office where the bulk of the printing in the School is done. Thanks to all of you for your support of the Foundation, which makes these small, but very much appreciated, gifts to the School possible.

13. CONGRATULATIONS, LA SHONDRA! I am very proud to report that Surrattsville student La Shondra Rawls is about to take off for Greece to compete in the Junior World Olympics Taekwondo Championships. (In July, La Shondra won the gold medal in sparring at the 2002 U.S. Junior Olympics in Minneapolis.) La Shondra leaves September 21 for the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to begin full-time training for the October 1-6 event. We extend our very best wishes to La Shondra, and hope that she'll bring home another gold. Go Hornet!!

I hope this e-Notice finds each of you well and enjoying the first hints of Autumn.

All the best, Henry Smith (71), hsmith@smithdowney.com

IN MEMORIAM

PATTI SCALLY (76) died on August 11, 2002 after a battle with cancer. Patti's friend and Class of 78 ORC Jeanne Hoffman LaRoque reports: "Patti fought to the end and died peacefully in her sleep. She had great look on life and knew what was ahead of her, but she never gave up. She was a very strong person."