eNotice 2003-06

THIS IS SURRATTSVILLE FOUNDATION E-NOTICE 2003-6 OF JUNE 1, 2003

Hello Hornets!

Here are some items that may be of interest:

1. HORNET HOOPS STAR BECOMES COACH OF MAJOR COLLEGE TEAM. Both Todd Fong (80) (coach of the men's basketball team at The College of Southern Maryland) and Richard Statler shared the great news that Dennis Felton (81), after extraordinary success as a student athlete at Surratts and as head coach of the Western Kentucky University men's basketball team, has become the head coach of the University of Georgia men's basketball team. Dennis's profile on the UGA web site (http://georgiadogs.ocsn.com/sports/m‑baskbl/mtt/felton_dennis00.html) proudly mentions Dennis' Surrattsville roots (several times)! Congratulations to Dennis on this well-deserved appointment, and best wishes to Dennis and the Bulldogs as they prepare for next season!

2. ANNUAL RIDE APPROACHES. On Sunday June 29, the Foundation will hold its annual motorcycle/car/dune buggy ride, this year to Pt. Lookout. The Ride will leave the front parking lot of the School at 10 a.m. sharp, and we'll stop for lunch at a nice spot. This has been a great time each of the last three years, and I hope many of you will be able to join us.

3. CONGRATS 2003 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS! Last month, the Foundation proudly awarded its 2003General Fund Scholarship to Ricky Hammett (03), and its 2003 Charles Waddell Memorial Fund Scholarship to Janelle Jackson (03). Ricky graduated in the top 5% of his Class, was JROTC Wing Commander and NHS President, was active in numerous other extra-curricular activities and received stellar recommendations from faculty and administration members. Janelle graduated in the top 15% of her Class, was active in the Chorus, Gospel Choir, and Honors Chorus and with her church choir, studied voice and piano privately, plans to pursue her music education in college and beyond, and received an extremely strong recommendation from Choral Director Marcus Davis.

We offer our sincere congratulations and heartfelt best wishes to these two outstanding Surratts graduates! (Photos of Ricky and Janelle will appear on the web site soon.)

4. SEEKING LOST HORNET. Dennis Malkie (75), who just returned from Bagdad to his home in France, is trying to contact Tom Best (75). If anyone has any info that might be helpful, Dennis would appreciate it if you would contact him at dpmalkie@hotmail.com.

5. THANKS TO A HORNET OFFSPRING IN ARMY SERVICE. We just learned that 2^nd Lt. Joshua Pinkey, son of Carol Hayes Pinkey (69) and Len Pinkey (67), is currently serving in Iraq with the 2‑325 AIR 82nd Airborne Division. Joshua graduated from West Point 2002. Shortly after arriving at his first post, Ft. Bragg, NC, he was deployed to the Middle East. Congratulations to the Pinkey family on Joshua's graduation from West Point, and thanks to Joshua for risking his neck to protect all of ours!

6. CLASS OF 57 ANNOUNCES REUNION. The Class of 1957 will be holding a picnic at the Tall Timbers Marina in St. Mary's County on Saturday June 21. The gathering will begin at 11:30 a.m. Contact Rick Pope at bprep@erols.com or 301 854‑5439 for more information.

7. HORNET CATERER AVAILABLE FOR REUNIONS. Trena Milbourne Stringer (87) has a catering company, and she'd be happy to provide services to any Class planning a Reunion (with "preferential Surratts pricing," of course). Please contact Trena at bynumbrewington@earthlink.net if you'd like information on her catering services.

8. SMALL WORLD DEPARTMENT. Muffin Wood Dixon (72) reported that she recently saw Col. Bob Marr (71), who was recognized in the last e-Notice as one of the Foundation's 2003 Achievement Award winners, on "The Today Show". Congratulations to Bob on the good press for his military efforts!

9 CLINTON VFD OLD TIMERS CLUB. I received this interesting email from Don Byroads (61) that I know will be of interest to a number of you: "Hi Henry: Last summer a group of us past members of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department held a reunion. This reunion went very well and sparked an interest in many to form a club for the purpose of staying in touch with past and present members, sharing memories, collecting and preserving fire related equipment, etc.. We contacted the Chief of the Clinton Fire House and with his blessings we formed the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department "Old Timers Club". We will be working closely with the Clinton Fire Department researching past fire department history, etc.. Two of our members have purchased old Clinton VFD pumpers, the 1957 GMC and the 1951 Mack. We are planning many club activities including a crab feast, picnics, cook outs, etc.. We invite all past members of the Clinton VFD to attend our next meeting on the second floor of the fire house on Saturday June 28, 2003 at noon. If more information is needed please call Don Byroads at 301‑475‑0127 or Martin Padgett at 301‑609‑6033. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Don"

(I for one owe a debt of gratitude to these brave volunteers (including Butch Schultz (71) and Bryan Baker (71)) who scraped me off the intersection of Woodyard and Route 5 in 1970 after my little Honda 150 had an unscheduled rendezvous with a station wagon!)

10. ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PLAQUES PRESENTED. We're happy to report that, on May 18, the Foundation was finally able to present Gordon Hawkins (76) with a plaque signifying his being a recipient of one of the Foundation's 2002 Achievement Awards. Since May 2002, Gordon has been traveling the world in connection with his renowned opera career, and made a rare stop in the D.C. area on May 18 for his concert with the Washington Cathedral Choral Society. The presentation of the plaque was made by former faculty member Ben Collins. Ben sent this little report: "Hi Henry: Gordon was wonderful and the plaque was the hit of the post-concert events. Wayman, his brother from an earlier Surratts class, was the family rep. Gordon taught my Humanities class in 1986, and also helped raise money for the Foundation's Charles Waddell Memorial Scholarship Fund. At the concert, I met a 93 year old Ms. Callis who has heard Gordon sing in five foreign countries! David Patterson (63) was a member of the choir. Gordon noticed him first, since he was wearing his Hornet T‑shirt under his choir robe! He joined us for the presentation of the plaque. I'm sending some photos of the presentation. Will be in touch. Your friend, Ben"

Our thanks go to Ben for making and recording this presentation on behalf of the Foundation, and our renewed congratulations go out to Gordon on his stellar career that brings constant distinction to Surratts! (The photos Ben sent will be on the web site soon.)

This Spring, we also had the opportunity and honor of presenting a plaque to 2002 Foundation Achievement Award winner Mary Kucharski (76), Executive Director of Christmas in April, at a mini-ceremony in her office in Clinton. Congratulations to Mary on her great work on behalf of the community.

Also, on May 21, at School's annual Senior Awards Night (see Scholarships story above), the Foundation presented Roberta Padgett Taylor (53) with a plaque signifying her selection as a recipient of one of the Foundation's 2003 Achievement Awards. It was great to be able to show our collective gratitude to this great Hornet who has done so much for the rest of us since entering Surrattsville just before Pearl Harbor was bombed! Congratulations and thanks, Roberta!

Finally, last weekend I had the fascinating experience of presenting a plaque to 2003 Foundation Achievement Award winner Kevin Fitzgerald (71), and enjoying a guided tour of his beautiful studio. (Kevin recently sold five of his paintings to actor Kelsey Grammar, by the way!) Congratulations to Kevin on the ever-expanding imprint he is leaving on the American art scene.

(Now the Foundation will need to find an opportunity to have a plaque presentation ceremony for 2003 Achievement Award winner Col. Bob Marr (71) aboard his F-15 in New York!)

11. CLASS OF 91 CONTINUES WITH REUNION PLANS. Allisha Ellis, prosper022002@yahoo.com, reports that the Class of 91 is continuing its reunion planning. The Class has a revised web site link that Allisha reports may be reached as follows: "Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Surrattsville1991/ , then click the button for ICQ Interest groups and it will take you to the Class of 91 reunion page at reunion.http://web.icq.com/groups/group_details?gid=12001090". Allisha notes that the Class also is inviting all classes to participate in its reunion. Please contact Allisha if you have any questions.

12. FRIEND OF SURRATTS MUSIC RE-PUBLISHES BOOK. The unofficial historian of the rock music scene in the D.C. area, Mark Opsasnick, markopsas@cs.com, has recently had one of his books republished. (Mark's books pay nice homage to the central role of Surrattsville and Clinton area musicians and music venues in this particular cultural phenomenon.) Here's a press release that recently appeared about Mark's republished book: "Washington Rock and Roll -- A Social History", the second book from "Capitol Rock" author Mark Opsasnick, is now available from Xlibris. Originally published in 1998, this new 2003 version has been updated and weighs in at 193 pages. It is an exhaustive study of rock and roll music in the nation's capital. Serving as a research guide for both the casual fan and the dedicated musician, this fast‑paced social survey combines nightclub history with profiles of the area's most beloved musicians and bands and provides a detailed portrait of one of the world's greatest rock and roll scenes. The Cherry People, Razz, Link Wray, Roy Buchanan, Danny Gatton, and Nils Lofgren are just some of the many stars covered in the fact‑filled pages of this book. This title can be ordered through any bookstore or Internet service (including amazon.com or barnes&noble.com) or directly from the publisher at www.xlibris.com or by placing a toll‑free call at 1‑888 795‑4274 and asking for the book orders department. Copies are also sometimes available at Joe's Record Paradise, 1300 E. Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 (call first at 1‑301 315‑2235 to check on availability). For additional information, check out www.capitolrock.com."

13. TOM "SMOKER" SMITH ENTERS HALL OF FAME. Tom "Smoker" Smith, drag racing legend and father of Marian Smith (70), Mike Smith (70), Jim Smith (71), Tim Smith and Hal Smith, will soon be inducted into the Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Among his many drag racing accomplishments, Smoker was the first person to go over 200 mph in the 1/4 mile in a fuel injected "funny car". (I'm sure a number of you car buffs lingered at the curb of the Smith's house on Gywnndale Drive when Smoker's world record holding funny car happened to be on its trailer in the driveway!) Congratulations to this Clinton-based drag racing superstar!

14. GET WELL WISHES TO AILING HORNET. We just learned that alum Greg Hooper is struggling with multiple health problems. Greg's Mom reports that he'd love to hear from his Surrattsville friends, and in particular is trying to track down Mike Sprouse, Kevin Miller, John Smith and Jimmy Padgett.. Does anyone have a lead on the whereabouts of these friends of Greg's? Greg's phone is 301-292-2339, and his address is 12202 Old Fort Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744. We send our warm get well wishes to Greg.

15. IF YOU DIDN'T LAUGH, YOU'D HAVE TO CRY. Undoubtedly prompted by the recent virus attack on the Foundation's email server, I received this little bit of humor from Don Dahl (45):

"Hi Henry: New Virus Announced: Just got this in from a reliable source. It seems there is a virus called the "Senile Virus" that even the most advanced programs of Norton and McAfee cannot take care of it, so be warned. The virus appears to affect those of us who were born before 1950! Symptoms of the Senile Virus: 1. Causes you to send the same e‑mail twice. 2. Causes you to send blank e‑mail. 3. Causes you to send e‑mail to the wrong person. 4. Causes you to send e‑mail back to the person who sent it to you. 5. Causes you to forget to attach attachments. 6. Causes you to hit "SEND" before you've finished the e‑mail.

Funny, I don't remember being absent minded. God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference. Now that I'm "older" (but refuse to grow up), here's what I've discovered:

1. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.

2. My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran.

3. I finally got my head together; now my body is falling apart.

4. Funny, I don't remember being absent minded...

5. Funny, I don't remember being absent minded...

6. All reports are in; life is now officially unfair.

7. If all is not lost, where is it?

8. It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.

9. Funny, I don't remember being absent minded...

10. Some days you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant.

11. I wish the buck stopped here; I sure could use a few.

12. Kids in the back seat cause accidents.

13. Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

14. Funny, I don't remember being absent minded...

15. It's hard to make a come back when you haven't been anywhere.

16. The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom.

17. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.

18. When I'm finally holding all the cards, why does everyone decide to play chess?

19. Funny, I don't remember being absent minded...

20. It's not hard to meet expenses.... they're everywhere.

21. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

22. These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter... I go somewhere to get something and then wonder what I'm here after.

23. I AM UNABLE TO REMEMBER IF I HAVE MAILED THIS TO YOU OR NOT!

24. Funny, I don't remember being . . . . . absent minded...

Now, I think you're supposed to send this to 5 or 6, maybe 8, maybe 10, oh, heck, just send it to a bunch of your friends if you can remember who they are. Then something is supposed to happen...I think. Maybe you get your memory back or something! I think. Regards, Don"

I hope this e-Notice finds you well, and at least some of you not entirely waterlogged from the recent weather throughout much of the country.

Best regards, Henry Smith (71), hsmith@smithdowney.com

IN MEMORIAM

DAVID HARRIS, father of Hugh (Sonny) Harris (63), Lynn Harris Schwesig (64) and Rosemary Harris Duke (74) passed away May 1, 2003. Mr. Harris participated as a frequent chaperon for the Surrattsville Teen Club in the early 60s. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 8424 Veterans Highway, Millersville, MD 21108.

JAMES ALLEN BASKAS ('86), of Deltona, Florida, passed away in his home on 23 April of a short illness. He was born in Leavenworth, Kansas. He leaves behind his brother, SSgt. Richard Scott Baskas ('84) of MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida; adopted parents of Deltona; biological father of Leavenworth, Kansas and biological mother of San Antonio, Texas. James worked as an air conditioning technician for Delair in Lake Mary. (Friends and family can contact Richard at rbaskas@tampabay.rr.com.)

MRS. TOM SMITH died in May. Mrs. Smith was a great fan of the Surratts Hornets wresting team. (Son Jim (71) is acknowledged as one of the best one or two wrestlers in Surratts history, and Mrs. Smith's other sons were great wrestlers, as well.) She was the mother of Marian (70), Mike (70), Jim (71), Tim and Hal, and was the wife of Tom "Smoker" Smith (who is mentioned in an item in this e-Notice).

FRANCES ELAINE GOLDSMITH FAGAN (63). Elaine died on May 18, 2003. Elaine leaves four children and three grandchildren. She also leaves her sister Sheala (Aronin) Delozier (61), and her twin sister Mary Jeanette McKenna Goldsmith (63). A memorial service will be planned for later in the summer. Condolences may be sent to the children at 7314 Lanham Lane, Fort Washington, MD 20744. Contributions may be made in her name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.