positive . Looking forward to returning to Florida in February . We will be getting our COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible . Since we missed the annual picnic at Norm ’ s last summer we can ’ t wait to this year ’ s picnic to catch up with everyone . Vince and Betty
Loren and Harriet Smith - Yo , Norm , if you ’ re looking for something exciting the best I can do is tell you we have a great-grandson . That ’ s when you realize how old you really are . Unfortunately , don ’ t get to spend enough time with him with this COVID-19 nonsense . Don ’ t really trust anything they are telling us . My one son instructs masonry construction at a state prison . My sonin-law is the machine shop instructor at a different state prison . Talk about the effectiveness of lock downs . These are not prisoners that get out on work details or are allowed visitors , these are high security prisons . Even though all workers are checked and tested regularly there is a high volume of COVID-19 infections among the prisoners . I ’ m sure Gov . Wolf will have the prisoners on high priority for the vaccine . Well , that ’ s 2020 . Looking forward to a better year in 2021 . It is what we make of it . Hope we can all get through it without getting the virus . We kind of do what we want as long as we don ’ t jeopardize someone else ’ s health . Figured I get the new year started on the right foot by giving you something for the newsletter . Hang in there , hope to get to see some of my old buddies soon . Smitty and Harriet
Darrell and Barbara Sill - Yo , Norm . Life in 2020 was about as lousy as we have witnessed during our retirement years . Masks , take-out meals only , online church services , drive-through every thing … not good !! Sure hope the new year doesn ’ t see our country spiral into a third world socialist mess . At least Barbara and I were able to spend lots of time with my son / wife / grandkids since they live only a mile away . With winter about half gone , we ’ re looking for fair weather and the virus vaccine to regain some sense of normalcy again . Hope all of the boys are high and dry . You and Carol stay well . Darrell , B-24
Gerald and Joanne Shoaf - Norm , Joanne and I have purchased a home in Florida and as I write this note are down here for the first winter vacation for four months . Working on a lot of projects getting the place in the condition we are used to such as garage door opener , installing a hot tub , etc . Do we have any classmates living or visiting Venice , Fla .? Please let me know . Now back to project work . Jerry
George and Brenda Pitonyak - Hello , Norm , Happy New Year to you and Carol . All of us are preoccupied with COVID-19 . Have not seen anything like it in my 77 years . Which brings me to church attendance . Have not been to church since the virus hit . ( Heathen ) In my adult life , I have only missed church on purpose about a couple of dozen times before this . This does not
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necessarily mean I am a good person , but it does show that I believe in something more than a good football game . Credit Mom and Dad with instilling a Christian way of life in our family . As you and our classmates remember , when we attended Williamson , church was mandatory if you spent the weekend on campus . Even had to fill out a Church Report . Church for me was in Media which was about a 2-mile walk . However , sometimes I would luck out and catch a ride with “ Reds ” Swinehart . One of the first times I rode with Reds , he was on campus so we walked to his house and had to travel through a hay field to get to his car . When we arrived at his backyard , he stopped and announced , “ Tick pick off !” He rolled up his pants leg and proceeded to pick ticks off his legs . Welcome to Delaware County , tick capital of the world . Ha , ha . Ticks are few and far between back in my old neck of the woods in Portage . Don ’ t forget that your house of worship still needs your donations in your absence . Jack Miles , Rapid Ed ’ s brother , did not make the annual trip to Kitty Hawk with his wife ’ s family . We always had a great time catching up and sharing a meal . Class of 6W4 stay safe , and remain in God ’ s loving care . Old Pit
Bill and Cathy Swinehart - Norm , all is well here . No COVID-19 for anyone I know . Still working a few days a week as a bridge tender on the Intracoastal Water Way . Definitely has its ups and downs . The holidays were good with good weather and good friends . Family is well and busy with work and school . Cathy is still very active in the sea turtle rescue organization and loves doing it . My social activities center around the Turtle Mound Yacht Club even though none of us has a yacht . Brother Wayne will be here soon for a few months of Florida weather . Not sure when we will get back north , but will probably be for a reunion or some other event . If anyone gets near New Smyrna Beach , give us a shout . Hoping all of the mates stay healthy . Bill / Reds B53 , 6W4
John and Jane Andrew - Norm , are you aware of the passing of Andrew Pitonyak ? Please pass my condolences along to George . I just welcomed the addition of my first great-grand ! Bennett William Frazier was born Sunday morning . ( Congratulations to you and Jane !) Jane and I have been hunkered down as most have , but even more because we want to go meet Bennett and have been asked to be extra careful . We did invest in a small property in Brusnwick ( or town ), did some renovation work and started talking to potential tenants . One of them made an attractive offer to buy , so we accepted . And I ’ m still piddling around with woodworking which helps me unglue my eyes from the news which has been shocking and outraging lately . I miss the ’ 50s . Cheers , mates . Hope we can do the picnic this summer . John Andrew , 240-593-5305
George Pitonyak - Hello , Norm . Mentioned
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to you about my brother Andy 5W8 passing away on Jan . 17 , 2021 . Did not plan to make the trip to Hazelton , but bit the bullet and went up anyway . Had concerns about the COVID-19 business . Went up to King of Prussia to brother Lou ’ s 6W1 on Wednesday , to Hazelton on Thursday , then returned to KOP . Came back to NC on Friday . My cousin from Virginia Beach drove . We have taken road trips with her in the past . Brenda and I had our Moderna shots last Monday . Was good to see the family , so glad we went up . Tried to call George Litzke before we went up , but could not connect . He has a second home in Eagle Rock where Andy lived . Stay safe guys , and remember to not put off until tomorrow what you can do today . Life is short . I fondly remember Andy getting on the train in Altoona the day he left Portage for WTS . Seems like yesterday . Therm passed through Jim Thorpe on the way back to King of Prussia and may have seen your train . G . P .
Cooper and Lois Yearicks - 2020 has been an unforgettable year . We have learned to survive by social distancing , wearing masks , and using a lot of hand sanitizer . We spent the summer at the Jersey Shore as much as possible . In September , we had reservations in Tennessee and it was use it or loose it so we went , following the COVID-19 guidelines . We went to Pigeon Forge and at that time there was a large car show that was interesting . When we got home , I was having high blood pressure problems . I went to a cardiologist and they did several tests . One of them was a stress test and it showed I had a possible blockage and I needed a heart catheterization . It wound up I had two stents put in and so far all is well . One of our grandsons in Maine called and told us that in January we are going to be great-grandparents for the first time . Our other grandson in Maine just called and they are expecting in September . At Christmas , our family visited us in shifts . They didn ’ t want to give us the COVID . With the help of my grandsons , I put up our Christmas villages and trains . Since my operation , I am limited what I can do until I see my doctor Jan . 26 . We have been staying pretty much at home entertaining ourselves playing cards and watching game shows . Our youngest son Chris wound up with a slight case of the corona virus and he managed to get through it very well . He got it at a birthday party at his in-laws . We have been attending church following the COVID-19 guidelines . One of our grandkids is taking driver training lessons so watch out if you get in New Jersey . That ’ s all for now . Hopefully , everybody stays healthy and wise and hope these vaccines work . Coop and Lois
Norman and Carol Lepping - We are getting along in this aging process and I can ’ t say that it is a bundle of laughs but it sure beats the alternative . Carol ’ s calendar
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is full of doctors ’ appointments and if she is not feeling well , I do the driving . Carol has her good and bad days . I stay busy outside . We did two train shows last year , Lower Providence Library in January and North Penn Commons , a retirement community in February , then all was closed down with COVID-19 . We still meet as a club once a month at the clubhouse in a local retirement community or by conference call . There isn ’ t much club business to discuss , but everyone enjoys getting together . I ’ m hoping the spring flowers will be early this year and before you know it , Alumni Day will be here . Hope to see you there and don ’ t forget to send the school a check !
Your Old Buddy , Norm , B21 , 6W4
W 65 Richard Dunlap 103 Old Field Dr . Bloomsburg , PA 17815 570-752-3228 Cell : 215-872-1111 rdunlap6W5 @ verizon . net
Greetings Classmates :
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and were able to gather with your family over the holidays as we navigate this pandemic and all the restrictions that go with it . I also hope you are able to keep up with our school ’ s activities on any of their social media platforms . They are doing an amazing job of keeping everyone safe , at the same time trying to make the student ’ s 1,000 day experience at Williamson all it can be .
All of the recent correspondence from me has not been good news , leading up to the cancelling of our 55th reunion that was planned for last Oct . 17 as part of Williamson ’ s Homecoming weekend . While I was preparing this article for the winter / spring Williamsonian , I received word from Laura Brown , director of alumni relations at school that all “ in-person ” activities for Alumni Day and Homecoming for 2021 have been cancelled . Before you read this in the Williamsonian you will have received a letter from me , sent by the school with the same news . I am so very sorry we won ’ t be able to gather , but continue to believe it is the right call . As soon as it is safe to gather and we get a green light we will refire the reunion plans .
Updates on classmates : Dan Norton - I share the following from a Christmas letter from the Nortons : Like all of us , many of their 2020 activities were cancelled , or put on hold . Though Dan and Lois are officially “ retired ” from fulltime ministry , they never really retire from fulfilling the Great Commission , as they reach the world for Jesus Christ . Dan does pulpit supply when opportunities arise , and leads a Bible study in their community . Of course , that all stopped when the virus hit , making gathering together for the Bible study too risky . During that time , Dan did the study as a manuscript , which he and
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