| E-Notice 2006-10 |
Hello Hornets!
Here are some items that might be of interest.
1. ANNUAL CAMPAIGN OFFICIALLY BEGINS. The Foundation's 2006 Annual Campaign has officially begun. This is the informal campaign we undertake each year to refresh the Foundation's treasury so it can grant the annual scholarships and fund the other on-going activities of the Foundation. Remember: the Foundation has no overhead, so every dollar contributed goes directly toward the support of a Foundation activity. And no contribution is too small (or too large) to make a positive difference.
Please consider showing your support for the Foundation by joining those generous "early birds" listed below who already have contributed to this year's campaign. (A donor form is reprinted below, and is available on the Foundation's web site at www.surrattsville.org.)
2. SEEKING 62 GRADS. Class of 62 ORC Len Owens (lowens15@nc.rr.com) is trying to update all of his info on Class of 62 grads. If you are a 62 grad, or have info on one, please send Len an email.
3. NEW TRACK AT THE SCHOOL. Thanks to the great efforts of the PTSA, the School has a new track. This has been an initiative that the Foundation and the PTSA have been interested in for some time, and the grass roots efforts of the PTSA finally succeeded. (Surrattsville has continued to produce track champions, even without an adequate track, so there's no telling how successful the track teams will be now!) Congratulations to President Bob Ross and the rest of the PTSA on this great achievement. (The PTSA's outstanding web site is at surrattsvillehsptsa.com/default.aspx.)
4. PTSA SEEKS MENTORS, PULSE OXIMETER/02 SATURATION DETECTOR. And speaking of the very activist PTSA, they currently are considering establishing a "mentor by email" program that will pair alumni and current students/recent graduates. Please consider whether you might be able to volunteer to serve as an e-mentor when this program kicks-off. (We'll provide updates in future e-Notices.)
In addition, the PTSA is trying to arrange for the donation to the special education program/nurse's office at the School of a "pulse oximeter" or O2 saturation detector. Might one of our readers work for a medical equipment or health care company that would be interested in donating one of these devices to the School?
5. MEMORIES OF THE TUESDAY BOOTS. The item about Ron Barkley's death in the last e-Notice undoubtedly brought back sweet memories of Ron and his band, The Tuesday Boots, in hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of our readers. (For those of you not around in the late 60s and early 70s, The Tuesday Boots was an absolutely extraordinary band, and the predecessor of such other legendary Surratts bands as Butler's Orchard and D. C. Star.)
Here are some specific memories of Ron from Lori Pinkey (71) that I'll bet are similar to those held by other younger "kids" who looked up to Ron and his bandmates: "Hi Henry: I was saddened to hear about the death of Ronnie Barkley. He hung out with my brother Len (67) along with Russ Barkley and Ron Lily. They used to shoot pool in our rec room. In junior high I thought I was "cool" because whenever the band, The Cavaliers / The Tuesday Boots played at school, Ronnie would say hi to me. For years I wore a paisley shirt that Ronnie gave me (right off his back) just because I said I liked it! You know I kept that paisley shirt, convinced that Ronnie was going to be famous one day. I held on to it for about 20 years! Ronnie used to play clarinet like I did. He was at our house one evening while I was practicing. I handed over the clarinet; can't remember what he played. Afterwards I didn't want to change the reed! Sounds silly now, but for a 13 year old girl in Clinton he was a rock star! I suppose I was a groupie! He was a bit wild but a great guy. I offer my condolences to his family. Lori"
Ed Note: And weren't The Tuesday Boots called "The Barkleys" before they were called The Cavaliers? I have a great memory of watching them play for a bunch of the "older kids" at a pool party thrown by Rob Lifton, older brother of my pal Rick Lifton (71). We thought we were peering into the holy of holies spying on that party that in my memory looks just like a party scene out of some teen-themed movie of the mid-60s. I also recall the band's many appearances at Surratts teen clubs and dances one in particular when they all wore matching white suits, with colorful neck scarves, and played The Beatles "Revolution" before I'd even heard it on the radio.
(We've reprinted below Ron's very nice obituary from the Elizabethtown Press Republican, which mentions his Surrattsville roots.)
6. GET WELL WISHES. Yvonne Anatale Scott (72) sent me this email: "Hi Henry: Brad McNew (72) had a massive cerebral stroke around the middle of June. There was a delay in emergency treatment that allowed much of his brain to necrose and most likely the lost tissue will not regenerate. Brad had no insurance of any kind. He is completely paralyzed on his left side. He has begun to talk, but talks a mile a minute and doesn't understand fully what has happened to him. He is blind in one eye and will need constant care for the rest of his life. I was told he has taken a couple of steps. Yeah!! You can call him at 979-548-3383 and they will track him down and get him to the phone. Cards and donations can be sent to him c/o Sweeney House, 109 N. McKinney Street, Sweeney TX 77480. Thanks, Yvonne"
I know we all send our thoughts, prayers and get well wishes out to Brad.
7. ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS FEATURED IN VANITY FAIR AND ON ESPN.COM. Recipients of the Foundation's Achievement Awards see them all on the web site at www.surrattsville.org continue to be featured in the media. Here are two recent examples.
I received this email from Muffin Wood Evander (72): "Hi Henry: In the September 2006 issue of Vanity Fair, Bob Marr (71) is quoted and pictured in an article entitled "9/11 Live: The NORAD Tapes" beginning on page 262. His picture is on page 276 and he hasn't changed one bit. It is an interesting piece and I was proud to read about Bob's role on September 11, 2001. Muffin"
I was referred to this espn.com story featuring Dennis Felton (81) by Rick "Smitty" Smith (71): "SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Sometimes you don't know how much a player, a person, meant to someone until you see it in his face, hear it in his voice, digest it with the words he uses. Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball coach Dennis Felton was here Friday for the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for former Georgia (and Atlanta Hawks) forward Dominique Wilkins. Felton was excited to talk about his team, one that he said is on the verge of taking a turn in the SEC East (after a 15-15, 5-11 season last year) and becoming a sleeper to make a run at an NCAA Tournament berth -- something his league colleagues have already predicted.
But as soon as you ask about guard Kevin Brophy, who died in late July in a car accident, you see how much a player who received so few headlines meant to Felton and this program. Brophy was expected to earn more playing team this season and was Georgia's emotional leader. "He was such a leader for this team," Felton said. "He was going to be a team captain. He was taking control of our team." Remember, this is a former walk-on from Melbourne, Australia, who fell in love with the Bulldogs while spending two years as an exchange student in Savannah. Brophy played in only 18 games as a sophomore, averaging 0.9 points, 0.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 10 minutes per outing. Brophy was a role player at Georgia's most fortified position, with Levi Stukes, Sundiata Gaines, Channing Toney and Billy Humphrey dominating the playing time last season.
Still, that didn't matter to Brophy. Felton said Brophy put in so much time in the offseason to make himself a legitimate contributor that he was going to be someone Felton counted on this season. "He played more as a freshman [22.8 minutes a game in 28 games] and not as much as a sophomore, but that didn't matter," Felton said. Here was a player who came in as a walk-on and, according to Felton, had in two years become one of the locker room leaders. He spent countless hours working on his game. Felton fell in love with his work ethic.
It should come as no surprise, then, that Felton was determined to be with Brophy's family during this tragic time. Felton had to make the call to Australia to tell Brophy's parents the news. They made the trip to Athens, Ga., for a memorial service and then Felton took off the last week of recruiting to go to Melbourne and accompany the family for Kevin's funeral in Australia. He said his father spoke to the team before he left Georgia and told them to "Do it for Brophy." That has now become the team's mantra for the 2006-07 season.
Last week, Felton and administrators at Georgia met to discuss how they are going to memorialize Brophy. The Bulldogs will, Felton said, wear a patch on their uniforms, but there will be much more. Felton said there might be something on the court this season and the school is formulating a plan to endow a scholarship in Brophy's name. The easy thing when looking at Brophy's production is to dismiss his on-court impact, but the Bulldogs will miss his leadership, spirit, toughness and will. Felton is banking on keeping that alive throughout the season and throughout his tenure at Georgia. How the team reacts to Brophy's absence will be a big determining factor in its season. Sure, the Bulldogs return Gaines, Stukes, Humphrey, Toney and added big-time talents up front in 6-foot-8 juco transfer Takais Brown and 6-10 freshman Albert Jackson. But Brophy's death still hangs on Felton, as it likely does for many members of the team.
Brophy was not a name known nationally. In fact, he might not have been well-recognized within the SEC. Still, he left his mark with Felton and Georgia -- so much so that Felton clearly has been affected by his death. You can see it. You can hear it. You can sense it. There are no scripts for dealing with this in coaching, or in life. Felton is trying to write his own version that best fits him and this program. Whatever it involves, Felton is not going to do anything lightly. He wants to remember and memorialize Kevin the right way, in a public way, so everyone knows and understands how much Brophy meant to him and the Georgia program. [Andy Katz, senior writer for ESPN.com]
8. SCHOOL PAPER SEEKS HISTORICAL INFORMATION. The sponsor and staff of the student newspaper at the School are seeking information about the workings and publications of the paper in the past. If you worked on the paper, or have any information or photocopies of past issues you can share, please contact Rahsheda Beamon at rahsheda.beamon@pgcps.org.
9. INFO ON PRINCIPAL BOND. I received this great note from Billie Barr Winstead (37) in response to Ottis Young's (48) inquiry in a prior e-Notice about information on Principal Bond: "Dear Henry: In response to a recent inquiry regarding Jack Bond, a former principal at Surrattsville, my late husband, Jack and I, together with the G. S. Ourslers, Jr., were great friends with Jack and his wife, Naudain. They moved to Princess Anne, MD where he became superintendent of schools in Somerset County. After they moved, they would make trips across the Bay to visit and we have gone there for some of the finest flounder fishing I have ever experienced. Their two daughters, Pam and Ellen, attended Surrattsville and I understand Pam married a Machen and lives in Mobjack, VA.
My daughter, Jackie Ball (60) and I recently had the pleasure of having lunch with Sally Hays Huff (60), creator of the School seal, and her Dad, Bob Hays. Some will remember that her mother, Barbara, was an art teacher at Surrattsville during the 60s. She later died of cancer. Sally lives with her father at Colton's Point, near Leonardtown.
I, too, have a lost ring story. Mine was from the Class of 37. It was a beautiful blue stone and had the initials BB inside. Judge Ernie Loveless reminded me recently that, in order to get a bargain from Balfour, I had to visit each of the classes that would graduate after ours and convince them to order the same style. This lovely ring cost the princely sum of $17! Your truly, Billie"
I hope you're all enjoying these first days of Autumn!
All the best, Henry Smith (71), hsmith@smithdowney.com
IN MEMORIAM
FRED BREWER died on August 7. Fred was the father of the late Barbara Gayle Brewer (69) and Betty Jayne Brewer Black (72).
MANY THANKS TO THESE EARLY 2006 CAMPAIGN DONORS!
Steve Profilet (71)
Carol Tisdale Whitsell (64), In loving memory of her sister Jeanne Tisdale Burke
Vivian Bounds Edelen (Faculty, 1938-1942)
Robert Brewer (67)
Henry Smith (71)
Donna Rae Smith (70)
Bill Harris (71)
Patricia Becker Oles (71)
Linda Dorsey Blum (66)
Barbara Gene Misiewicz Bailey (63)
Richard Neilan (82), In Memory of Charlie Waddell
Bob Marr (71)
Debbie Cox Marr (72)
Vicky Simontacchi Young (57), In Memory of Gerald (Jerry) A. Hatton (57)
Ellen Talbert-Miller (61, Faculty 66-98), In Memory of Sue Baucia (Faculty)
Russell Barkley (67), In Memory of Ron Barkley (67)
Patricia Gann Barkley (67), In Memory of Ron Barkley (67)
Teri Pepper Dimsey (77)
Mike Gifford (84)
Helen Bovbjerg Niedung (54)
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