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E-Notice

THIS IS SURRATTS FOUNDATION E-NOTICE 2011-1 OF JANUARY 3, 2011

Hello Hornets:

Here are some items that might be of interest:

1.  FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL CAMPAIGN A GREAT SUCCESS!   Thanks to the generosity of the donors listed below, the Foundation's 2010 annual fund raising campaign was a smashing success.  Many thanks to all who contributed to last year’s campaign!

2.  SEEKING LOST HORNETS.  Dick Duke (47) is trying to get in touch with members of the Classes of 46, 47 and 48.  Please contact Dick at 734-769-0467, or dickduke@umich.edu, if you have any info that might be helpful.

3.  MEMORIES OF MARLOW HEIGHTS.  We received these rather "exciting" memories in response to the item in last month's e-Notice concerning the Marlow Heights Shopping Center.

"Hello Henry:  Just read the item about Marlow Heights and had to laugh when I recalled my memories of the "good times" at Marlow Heights.  I think they would be somewhat different than most would put in their walk down memory lane.  For those of us that walked on a different side of the street, these were not the "PG" memories so many have.  While we were not "gangs" in the sense they use now, each area had its own group and they did not tolerate outsiders well.  Actually you could feel downright unwelcome.  Being from "Southern Maryland," we were not welcome in Marlow Heights.

More than once I and friends were "asked" to leave.  Generally, the number of people making the request provided the size of the impetus for us to go; the old thing of "discretion being the better part of valor, etc." and knowing you were going to get your butt kicked if you didn't go (and go quickly, without grace).  I could provide numerous tales of hasty retreats and misadventures at Marlow Heights, fights and near fights, picking up girls, street races, running from the cops and praying we would find one (a cop) before the Marlow Heights Boys caught up with us.  It was actually fairly tame (most of the time), until it started escalating beyond control, went from funny to scary and finally got vicious and ended in a death.  Which, needless to say, brought the cops out in force and ended most of the "gangs" and problems visiting the area.

And, I guess I should throw in the tale of when the Marlow Heights Boys visited Southern Maryland -- they only did that once.  (LOL)  So, yes, Marlow Heights does bring back some memories, just different ones than most people would have and while they are "funny" now, they seemed a bit serious at the time.  While I still live in Southern Maryland, I have not been back to Marlow Heights in years.  I have no idea what it even looks like now.

Lee  Ringley (65)"

[Ed Note:  Sounds more like West Side Story than Prince George's County!]

"Hi Henry:  I  just looked at the Marlow Heights site, and yes it brings back many memories. First off, it is where I used to go for street racing. Many nights you could find a good race at the Hot Shoppes, Jr.  After returning from my vacation with the army in Vietnam I met my now wife of 39 years there while I was racing.  Next year we are looking forward to a happy 40 years of being together.  So, yep every day I think of Marlow Heights!  Grover Stanley (67)"

[Ed Note:  Always obey the posted speed limits!  (And that includes if you’re driving Dale Wickline’s 57 Chevy up Route 5 near Marlow Heights!)]

[Ed Note:  Correction:  In last month’s item about the Marlow Heights Shopping Center, Representative Steny Hoyer’s then-current position, House Majority Leader, was incorrectly stated.  Apologies to Representative Hoyer!]

4.  SURRATTSTOCK PERFORMER FEATURED ON “TALK OF THE NATION.”  Some of our readers who are NPR listeners might have caught Surrattstock performer John Previti (72) (who also has performed at similarly distinguished venues like the Kennedy Center) in one of his many and extraordinarily varied musical incarnations on the December 7 broadcast of the nationally-aired “Talk of the Nation” show hosted by Neal Conan.  John appeared with The Blue Rhythm Boys, who were featured in connection with the release of their new album “Come On If You’re Comin’.”  (The radio program can be listened to online at http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=3&islist=true&id=5&d=12-07-2010.)

Congratulations to John and The Boys on this very nice national press!

[Ed Note:  To prove that great musicians have incredible staying power, I believe the first time I heard John interviewed on public radio was when he and his great jazz fusion band Blue Horizon – featuring fellow Hornets/Surrattstock performers Dave Seyler (73) and Don Stapleson (72) along with Pete Lambert, Tim Jarvis and Dave Snead -- were interviewed and performed on public radio in DC in early 1974.  In case you’re counting, that was almost 37 years ago!]

5.  SURRATTSVILLE COMMUNITY LOSES LONG-TIME EDUCATOR The Surrattsville community recently lost perhaps its oldest-serving educator ever -- and one of its most beloved staffers ever -- substitute teacher Col. Ben Norcia.  We’ve included Col. Norcia’s obituary from the Washington Post below, and we received this note of lovely memories from his daughter, Marcia Norcia Phillips (70):

“Hi Henry:  Dad loved working at Surrattsville, where he was a permanent, full-time substitute for almost 25 years, from 1981-2004.  He reported for work every morning and taught any class to which he was assigned.  On the rare days when no substitute was needed, he walked the halls as a monitor.  He was happy to be at Surrattsville, no matter what position he was given.  He offered encouragement, broke up fights, gave advice.  He truly enjoyed being with the young people, and it was clear that they enjoyed him.  Whenever I was with him in Clinton we were sure to hear a shout, "Mr. Norcia!  Mr. Norcia!" and a student, past or present, would come running over to give him a hug.  When he introduced me they would tell me how he had helped them or just been nice to them.  He brought a supply of pencils and paper every day to give to students who had forgotten theirs, he always carried extra change to offer to those who were short on lunch money, and he firmly believed in second chances, rarely sending anyone to the Principal's office.  

My father worked at Surrattsville, after a long career as a military officer and NASA logistician, because he loved to be with young people, and to be of service.  Long after most people had retired, he was working full-time.  His last day of work was at Surrattsville in May 2004.  A fire drill sounded.  Dad took his class out to the designated spot on the football field and collapsed from congestive heart failure.  He was 91 years old.  He never went back to work at Surrattsville, but always wanted to, and often badgered his doctor to approve his return.  In his final days, this past summer and fall, he would often tell me "I want to go back to school."  I would help him into the car and drive him to Surrattsville, just to look at the building.  His great pleasure was when I would push him in his wheelchair around his neighborhood in Clinton, and he would see one of his former students, often accompanied by children of their own. 

Dad passed away on his 97th birthday, October 2, 2010.  Due to a three-month wait for burials at Arlington, his funeral service will be held on January 19th, at 12:15pm at the Ft. Myer Chapel, followed by burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.  We would welcome anyone from Surrattsville who can attend.  Please email me, his daughter and Surrattsville alumna, Class of 70, at marcia_phillips@yahoo.com and I'll send you the details and directions.  Also, if you knew my dad and have any memories to share, I would love to hear from you.  Thank you.  Marcia”

6.  ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT AND FELLOW YOUNGSTERS FEATURED AT BOWL PARADE.  Some of you who saw the Citrus Bowl Parade might have caught the performance of Achievement Award recipient Ann Weaver Pelle (71), and her fellow Villages Twirlers and Drum Corps.  Congratulations to these perpetually young performers on their appearance at this nationally-covered event!

7.  SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT CONTINUES GOOD WORK IN COLLEGE.  We received this email about an interesting project from 2007 Foundation Scholarship recipient Brene Carrington:

“Greetings from a fellow Surrattsville Alumni (2007):  We need everyone's support. Pepsi has launched the Refresh Everything Project through which they will be awarding grants to great causes!  As a chapter president of the actuarial science, risk management and insurance collegiate fraternity (Gamma Iota Sigma), my application has been accepted and we have been given the opportunity be in the running for one of these grants!

 
The ten projects that receive the most votes in each category will be awarded grants.  Our application is titled “Help Urban Communities Become Financially Independent.” This is the link to read about our grant request:  http://www.refresheverything.com/financialindependence  
 
Anyone can vote for the project once per day.  Please consider supporting our grant application.  Thank you and best wishes,  Brene”

8.  ALL CLASSES/FACULTY/STAFF DIRECTORIES AVAILABLE Thanks to the herculean work of Pat Becker Oles (71), the Foundation's 2000 Alumni/Faculty/Staff Directory has been updated for 2010, and now includes fascinating "what I'm up to" paragraphs from those who submitted directory information.  If you would like a copy of the Directory, send a $20 check payable to the Foundation to:  Henry Smith, One W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 950, Towson, MD 21204.

9.  "SURRATTSVILLE ALUMNI" WINDOW STICKERS AVAILABLE.  Pat Becker Oles (71) also kindly handles the Foundation's "Surrattsville Alumni" window stickers project.  Pat notes that the stickers are not the "static cling type," that stick to the inside of a window.  Instead, they are the "stick to the outside type," that can stick on a window or bumper, and use "repositional adhesive" (meaning no sticky residue).  Information about purchasing the stickers can be found on the web site at surrattsville.org.

10.  CLASS OF 2001 PLANS REUNION.  The Class of 2001 is beginning work on planning for its ten year reunion, to be held on Saturday June 4, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., at a location to be determined.  Please contact Jacquelyn Towns at jacquelyntowns@live.com or Courtney Graham at azia22@comcast.net if you have any contact info on members of the Class of 2001 or if you would like further information.  The Class also has a Facebook page called “The Official c/o 2001 Reunion Page,” which contains photos and information to date.

11.  BOOMERANGS AVAILABLE.   The Foundation has a limited supply of yearbooks from 1991, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006.  If you'd like one of these yearbooks (which are available for $15 including shipping and handling), please send me an email to hsmith@smithdowney.com.

12.  POSSIBLE 80/81 REUNION.  The Classes of 80 and 81 are planning a possible reunion for June 2011.  They need a contact person for the Class of 80.  Please contact Teresa Blandford Pepper at teresa@dlpinc.net to provide contact info.

13.  CLASS OF 61 PLANS REUNION.  The Class of 1961 will celebrate its 50th Class Reunion at the Colony South Hotel and Conference Center in Clinton.  This three day event will take place on June 24-26, 2011. Classmates from other Classes who may be interested are invited to join the celebration. If anyone has any information on missing Class members (listed at the end of this e-Notice) or would like information regarding the reunion, please contact: Don Byroads at 301-475-0127 or towerhill00@hotmail.com or Darleen Mabry Burgess at 301-449-7261 or darleenburgess@comcast.net.

 

Happy New Year!   Henry Smith (71)

 

In Memoriam

BENJAMIN NORCIA, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who later did logistical work for NASA and was a longtime substitute teacher in Prince George's County, died Oct. 2 at his home in Clinton on his 97th birthday. He had Alzheimer's disease.   Col. Norcia retired from the Air Force in 1966, and his final active-duty assignment was as deputy commander of Bolling Air Force Base in the District. He joined the Army in 1939 and served in the Army Air Forces in Europe during World War II. As an Army Air Forces historian, he attended the postwar Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals.

He joined the newly formed Air Force in 1947 and worked with the United Nations on reconstruction efforts in South Korea after the Korean War.  After retiring from the Air Force, Col. Norcia spent two years as a management consultant for the Office of Economic Opportunity before joining NASA and doing logistical work for the Apollo missions and for Skylab.

Col. Norcia was a substitute teacher at Surrattsville High School in Clinton from 1981 to 2004.

Benjamin Norcia was a native of Buffalo. In 1957, he received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the old Jackson College in Hawaii.  His military decorations included the Soldier's Medal and six awards of the Air Force Commendation Medal.  Survivors include his wife of 68 years, the former Mary Parise, of Clinton; a daughter, Marcia Norcia Phillips of Bowie; a brother; and a grandson.   [From the Washington Post, 10/8/10, by Megan Buerger]

 

MANY THANKS TO THESE GENEROUS DONORS TO THE 2010 CAMPAIGN!

Bob Marr (71)

Debbie Cox Marr (72)

Steve Profilet (71)

James Coffren (68)

Margaret Edmondson Loveless (39, and former School Nurse), In memory of Truman S. Klein

Dan Bayne (71)

Linda Dorsey Blum (66)

Vicki Forsht Williams (65, and former faculty), In memory of Eugene Colgan and Mildred Biedenkapp)

Susan Curtis Sturgill (65), In memory of Greg White (65)

Vince Antonioli (69)

Terry Zinneman Antonioli (70)

Helen Bovbjerg Niedung (54), In honor of Band Director John Mathena

Victor Negron (71)

Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. (60)

Janet Goddard Sullivan (54)

J. Paul Rickett (69)

Gloria Blandford Rickett (71)

Jean Hurley Wilhelm (39), In memory of members of the Class of 39

Carol Fite Mothershead (65)

Larry Mothershead (65)

Edward Webster (65)

Sharon Till Webster (66)

Jaquie Goss Leach (65), In memory of Fred Goss, brother, and Class of 70 valedictorian

Jeanine Carroll Maclary (73)

Coach Lew Jenkins (Former faculty for 25 years)

Mike Gifford (84)

Mary Watson Crowley (37), In memory of Ruth Affron Sellner (36)

Ruth Kessler (Former Faculty)

Mary Garner Whittington (46)

Deborah McAllister Brown (72)

Richard Brown (72)

Mary Jo Sputo (76), In memory of Cindy Thompson Vutsinas (76)

Tom and Sally LaPla Travis (72)

Lawrence Romjue (57), In memory of Lois Marie Osgood (57), "You were always on my mind"

Vicky Simontacchi Young (57), In memory of Lois Marie Osgood Honeywell (57)

Vera Twigg (Friend of the Foundation)

Tom Shultz (71)

Nancy Oursler Schillings (65), In memory of Robert Knadel (63)

Henry Smith (71), In memory of John Mamone (72)

Donna Rae Sturtevant Smith (71), In memory of John Mamone (72)

Dave Kraus (65)

Charles Ronald Coleman (53), In memory of Donald England

Paul Monaghan (59)

Ellen Talbert-Miller (61 and former faculty), In celebration of the Class of 61 50th Reunion

Cecelia Smith (former faculty), In memory of Marie Grouby

Anne Noyes (former faculty)

T. Summers Gwynn (64), In memory of Don Rhoades (64)

Melissa Gilcrest (69)

Natalie Nadine Conrad Johnson (80), In memory of Allison Hinckle (80)

Nancy Miller (67)

Patricia Becker Oles (71)

Lee Hessberg (68)

Lois Barrett Hessberg (70) 

Brenda Karnes (former faculty), In memory of Marie Grouby and Dixie Vinciguerra

Anonymous, In memory of Francis R. O’Clair