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steve Nash 205 Red Fox Court middletown, DE 19709 302-376-9680 302-383-6860( cell) snash999 @ cs. com

Hi Guys, I hope everyone had a nice summer and that things are going well.

For everyone that attended the 50th reunion, it was great seeing you all once gain. It struck me that some people have hardly changed in their looks and others I did not recognize at all. It was a truly great meal at the Concord Country Club and the school did an excellent job in setting it up. Saturday night at the Alumni Banquet went just as well. All in all, I’ m sure the 23 or 24 from our class that attended had nothing to complain about. For those of you that could not make it, give it some serious thought for the future. It’ s true, there will never be another 50th reunion, but if we have some sort of get-togethers in the future, try to attend— you’ ll be glad you did.

As I’ ve already stated, the school did an excellent job in setting up and making all the arrangements necessary to pull it off. To be honest, I expected more money soliciting as the evenings went on, but they kept it to a minimum. And, speaking of money, in case you hadn’ t heard, our class donation was better than $ 64,000. I never like to talk about the financial aspects of our class, but that figure was something to definitely be proud of. We went way beyond what they had set as a target for our class. Give yourselves a pat on the back.

This is a bit strange writing for the fall 2017 issue; I just received my last issue just a couple of weeks ago. There have been a couple guys trying to contact me lately, but when I called them back, they haven’ t responded, Pat, Dave, you know you are. Try again if it is something important.

Speaking of getting together, how does it strike you to have some form of lunch / dinner gettogether next spring? I am mentioning it now so there is plenty of time to set it up and plan it ahead of time. Any suggestions, comments, or ideas would be welcome. If not on a whole class basis, maybe on an area basis. Those from a certain area get together at a mutually agreed upon place. I know a couple of the other classes do this and we could do it, too. It has been quite successful for those classes that already do it.

Just for the record, a lot of you got to know of my wife Annick’ s health issues and I want to let you know we went to the doctor’ s office on Aug. 15 and she told us that Annick is now officially cancer free. I had made her a promise that when she became cancer free, I would become whisker free, hence, this morning I shaved off my beard. I look five years younger and she is a whole lot happier. That is just one way we are celebrating her restored health. Believe me when I tell you that positive attitude and prayers really do help.

One more thing Joe Diggins brought up. Some of you are too far away from school to attend Alumni Association meetings, school functions, etc., but you are not too far away to still give of your time. There are plenty of things that can be done over the phone, through emails, texts, etc. All it takes is a little of your time on a regular basis and if you contact the school, I’ m sure they could lead you in the right direction and keep you busy. Think about it.

I’ ve sent out a few texts to a couple guys asking them if they had anything they wanted in the Williamsonian. Up until now, Joe is the only one who has responded. I hope this doesn’ t mean we are going back to our old ways of not sharing information.

And, just one more thing: If any of you own a Cub Cadet zero turn lawn mower, have it checked out at a service facility. I had one and found out the hard way that there are models that are prone to catch fire because of a manufacturing defect. They had a recall, but not everyone got the message. Google“ Cub Cadet fire hazard” and see what you get and keep a close eye on your mower while you are cutting the grass.

Till next time, take care and as Ellen would say,“ be kind to one another.”

edgar Speer 1600 Ulster Lane West Chester, PA 19380 610-431-7574 speerhouse7 @ verizon. net

Greetings gentlemen,

I hope your summer was an enjoyable one. Stacy Starr was the only classmate who went to Alumni Day 2017. Joe Selgrade, Stacy Starr, and I were at Williamson a week later to attend the memorial service for Carmen Martella, the machine tool technology instructor who passed away June 2, 2017. Joe and I taught with Carmen in the’ 70s at Marple Vo-Tech in Delaware County. After Vo-Tech, Carmen moved on to Williamson and a strong 30 + year career there. I was always very pleased that Carmen chose Williamson. I believe it was a win-win for both Carmen and Williamson.

Joe and I toured the new Watson Dorm. It is a really nice building, interior and exterior. The stonework is a good match to the other 100 + year old dorms and it blends right in. The dorm supervisor’ s apartment is very spacious and quite an upgrade to the other dorm apartments. On other grounds news, the 2017 senior class gift to Williamson is a very nice stone wall entrance with signage on Rt. 352( Middletown Rd.) It is quite an improvement over previous entrance signs.

My 94-year-old mother wanted to see Williamson once again. Her last time there was at our graduation in 1968. I was able to drive her all around the campus. The student parking lot is built where the pond used to be in our day. You can drive down behind the old infirmary, behind Longstreth, and to the Restall fieldhouse( the school’ s sewage field was there in our day). Then you come out at Bill Crowther’ s house which was torn down years ago. Gentlemen, if you have not been back to Williamson, you will be very surprised with the improvements.

Jim Thomas called me mid-August after we got the past Williamsonian. Jim was pleased that Will Short was able to sell Jim’ s rental house. Jim also said his garden and fruit trees have been very prolific this year. Jim has two daughters and six grandchildren. Three of his grandchildren were coming for a visit this summer and Jim and Thelma were looking forward to their visit. Jim said he will be at the luncheon in October, once again hoping for a ride to Shady Maple with Will Short.

Fran Monahan writes,“ I will not be able to attend the luncheon. We will be at the 50th. We’ re in a good spot for the eclipse. We will be going to Canada in September, otherwise no new news here.”

Monte Lawley sent me a great picture and wrote,“ Ed, we were at our daughter’ s in North Carolina recently and saw a white deer in a field … not a true albino, but the most white I’ ve seen on a wild deer. I’ ve seen a few white deer over the years. To top it off it was a 6-point buck. Being a hunter, I thought you would find this of interest.” What a perfect photo that was, Monte … thanks.

George Miles sent me some news.“ Sharon and I have been continuing“ Skiing”( Spending the Kids Inheritance), as often as we can. Since we met last fall, she and I went to Phoenix to visit our daughter, then cruised the BVI and Leeward Islands in the Caribbean down to Nevis in February for two weeks on a 120-foot Windjammer. We then took our oldest daughter and friend, as well as our oldest son and his family, for a cruise through the Windward Islands in the Caribbean on a 103-foot Windjammer for a week in July. We also took our youngest son and family to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and did the Tucom Mayan Ruins and snorkeled a number of Cenotes( sink holes with underground rivers), for a week at the end of July. We figure we can’ t take it with us and wanted them all to experience something they would have never done on their own, rather than fight over any money when we are gone. Our oldest

grandson just left for Mississippi State, where he earned a 100 percent academic scholarship and intends to study marine sciences. His sister is two years behind him and hopes to earn an athletic scholarship in field hockey, with her little brother another two years behind her, working on a pole vaulting scholarship. Our other three grandchildren and a group of their friends have spent most of the summer with us at the shore and we had forgotten how stressful a gaggle of 15-year-old girls can be. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in the Fall.”

It was good to get a message from Ralph Ames who wrote:“ Got big plans … leaving on Wednesday, Aug. 16, for Alaska! Doing the land tour first via train from Fairbanks to Talkeetna, then getting bussed to Anchorage. Then a quick trip to Seward and the boat trip south to Vancouver with stops at Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. One of those“ bucket list” items that was brought on by Joann’ s pacemaker! It’ s her bucket!! Had another trip to Indianapolis with our grand-daughter over the Fourth of July to see the Children’ s Museum. Awesome place for kids, one of the best, especially if they like dinosaurs! That will be my summer … see you all when we return.”

News from Stacy Starr, who wrote,“ Still working in New Mexico part-time. My grandson Ivan and I visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in July. Participated in the power generation course that was given in July at the school. I presented the water treatment part.”

Tom Turnbaugh writes,“ News from Lebanon. I retired as a consultant to the Pennsylvania Builders Association effective July 21, and Marianne retired from the school district effective July 1. Guess we will now determine what we do with neither of us working save for charitable organizations we are both involved with. Trip to Greece scheduled September. See you in October.”

Also got a note from Steve Shedlock saying,“ Loraine and I with ten of our friends are going to Ireland for a week … Labor Day. Hope to make the luncheon reunion.”

For our Yuengling fans, especially Dan Smith and Ron Wildasin … read Dave Churchman’ s( class of 7W3) article in the past Williamsonian where he talks about his introduction to Yuengling 40 + years ago when he met up with John Bonchalk at Penn State after the military.

Food for thought … having been a part of Williamson for almost 50 years, I question when is Williamson going to get women into their administration or have women trustees? There are many strong women who can be leaders in both positions. All I see, year after year, is the good ol’ boys club. It is time to move into the 21st century and have women who can offer Williamson a different perspective. I have been fortunate to work with many assistant principals and the females always outshined the males. Almost all of the females moved on to become principals, assistant superintendents, and college deans. While I am on the topic … what about females being admitted to Williamson as students? I remember our senior year when Mr. Gary Mowery was teaching us on the“ Life of Mr. Williamson.” Mr. Mowery stated that in Mr. Williamson’ s will and trust, it was written that after two years of operating with young men as students, Mr. Williamson wanted females to become students and learn their appropriate trades for females of that time. Two of my own daughters would have been superb trades persons if they attended Williamson as they are extremely capable with tools and construction today. If Williamson is truly a“ College of the Trades,” it is time to change and become a true leader in giving females a chance at all aspects of Williamson life. I do welcome all of your comments – both + and –.

See you all at our luncheon at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, Honey Brook, Pa., on Oct. 24. Cost is $ 17( cash or checks, made out to me). Stacy will give us an update concerning the 3-day celebration agenda at Alumni Weekend for our 50th reunion 2018. You will be able to determine how many different activities you wish to attend.

Stay well, Ed Speer

Philip Lock 105 Seitz Rd. schwenksville, PA 19473 610-287-7047 Cell: 610-331-6648 plock6w9 @ aol. com

Hi Everyone,

The new Watson dormitory has been completed and dedicated and occupied by new students. The expansion of the dining room in the main building( Rowan Hall) should be completed by the time you get this issue.

Had a nice chat with Warren Long. He is still working full-time in the masonry construction trade. His wife is working full-time at Knoll’ s in East Greenville. Their daughter Addie, graduated from Marywood College, and has been working for three years as a speech therapist for the Boyertown School District at Washington Elementary School in Bally, Pa. Their son Andrew, is working full-time for the water and sewer department for Upper Hanover Township.

Bob Coverdale has retired and is residing in South Carolina. He still enjoys golfing whenever he can. Bob has picked up gardening and is raising a dog. Thanks for the update, Bob.

Peace and good health to all. Phil

Jack Bendick 113 Stoddartsville Rd. Blakeslee, Pa. 18610 570-646-1041 Cell: 570-419-7661 bendick @ ptd. net

Greetings 7W0,

It is with great relief that we let you know that Bill Shields is alive and well. There was an error that Bill’ s passing was given to Williamson and a card was sent out by Williamson that Bill passed away. Bill is living in Hatfield, Pa., with his wife Lucy. Bill has two children Perry and Vicky. They were also just blessed with their first grandchild, Jackson James, on June 9, 2017, from their son Perry. If you want to be in contact with Bill, here’ s his email: bshields7W0 @ gmail. com.

Concerning our traditional 50th Anniversary Class Gift to Williamson. Bill Eyster has now established a way to start putting into our 7W0 gift for our 50th year coming up in 2020. You can send in a check with a note and memo on the check for the Class of 7W0 gift to Williamson. They will keep it aside to be given in 2020. You can do a little at a time over the next 3-year period instead of one check. Every little bit helps for the future of Williamson. Thanks, guys!

Our thanks to Irene Parastatidis at Williamson for her help in getting us a listing and addresses of our 7W0 classmates. I have sent this out to all the classmates that I had emails for. If you want a copy just email or call me with your address where you want it sent. Our list is not completely up to date due to classmates moving, so if you know of a classmate that moved and you have their new information, please send it to me.

I’ ve been in contact with many classmates in the past few months. Gary Herron has his own business and is looking at retirement soon. On a sad note, Gary’ s wife Peggy passed away from cancer four years ago. Gary has six children, five boys, and one girl. He also has 12 grandchildren to keep him busy.

Bill Eyster and his wife Leslie, have a new grandson Miles, five months old. Sam Evans and Theresa are planning a wedding for their son, Cory, on Sept. 9. Sam is getting ready to go back to work after taking the summer off. I talked with Gary Fields. He is doing well and is still working in Princeton.

Dan Zimmerman is enjoying retirement with his wife Debbie in Somerset, Pa. Their children are scattered between North Carolina and Tennessee, with two sons and two step-daughters in Pittsburgh. He is enjoying riding his motorcycle and playing golf in summer and working in his wood shop and painting during the winter.