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ary and in February I started writing for the spring 2017 issue of the Williamsonian as I do not like to wait to the last minute. Like all good plans, sometimes they fall apart. I have called several classmates and left messages that they have not returned.

I have a legal case out in a desolate crossroads, hundred miles south of Salt Lake City in a town, at least I think it’ s a town, I know it’ s a crossroads with a feed company, two gas stations, a restaurant, at least I think it’ s a restaurant, and a broken down motel, known as Delta Utah. Nearby is a power generating station that supplies one third of the electric power for the City of Los Angeles. Years ago, when the power plant was built, they enticed 26 dairy farmers to relocate to the area. The electric utility not only generates electric power for LA, but also generate stray current that flows in the earth and has shocked the dairy cows in the area. Today all 26 dairy farmers have either gone bankrupt, sold out, or just quit as there are no more dairy farmers left in the area. That case began in February 2003 and went to trial four years ago. The judge declared a mistrial and the case became alive again, this February 2017, 14 years working on the case.

At the same time, a case where 110 persons, 28 families, are being electrically shocked in their homes in Redondo Beach Calif. That case has been to the appellate court two times and was finally resolved in the California Supreme Court. It became active at the same time as the Delta Utah case. While working on the above cases, Williamson’ s Energy Island solar installation needed assistance.

Before all these legal cases broke loose, I was able to call and talk to William D.“ Bill” Hough, C-27, machinist. Bill is still at 6 Meadowbrook Lane, Media, PA 19063, 610-874-2528. You can try his email address: wdh1533 @ AOL. com. Bill and his wife Virginia will be married 62 years in June and they have three daughters and I believe two grandchildren. Bill was one of the Three Musketeers that taught at Dell Castle Technical High School in Delaware as a drafting instructor for 26 years and at Williamson as a CAD instructor. His military service was in the U. S. Army engineers for two years which was served before and after the Budd Company. Bill managed to attend the University of Delaware and Penn State. He has some problems with his feet and legs.

DID YOU KNOW: The reason that Frank Furness, the architect that designed Williamson, was selected? The other three or four architect’ s designs were basically all similar and a square main building. Frank Furness’ design was completely different. Plans to be based for 312 scholars. Dining room is designed for 364 or one more tables than required for 312 scholars.( August 23, 1889) On April 18, 1889, Thursday, $ 1250 for plans.( Students must have been smaller then.)

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, Eugene N. Maffei, machine shop, died. Gino was born on Monday, Oct. 3, 1932. He was a longtime resident of Essington, formerly of Springfield. Beloved husband of Dorothy( nee Mack). Devoted father of Danilo( Linda) and Cristo( Jill) Maffei. Also survived by his three grandchildren: Paige, Patrick, and Kathleen. His memorial service was Saturday, March 25, at 11 a. m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, on Route 202. Classmates Al Alutius and Jack Harper gave eulogies. In attendance were classmates Ken Altmanshofer, Don Zipse, John Bubel, and Sam

Ray( retired instructor), Carmen Martella( machine shop instructor), Don Kemper, Dick Dunlap, and Pete D’ Orazio( WCT). You can make a memorial contribution to WCT in memory of Gino.

Gino’ s additional education was spending two years at PMC, and transferring to Temple. He survived for five months working at Westinghouse as a tool and die maker before basic training at Aberdeen proving grounds and remained there for Army machining instruction, transferring to Fort Knox, Ky., with an armored tank maintenance service, before returning to Westinghouse until 1966. He ended his career in a teaching position at Delaware County Vo-tech as a machine shop instructor until 1988.

Gino was our class rep until a few years ago. I don’ t believe he ever missed any functions at Williamson for even as he became debilitated he continued to attend meetings with the help of his wife, Dot. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Williamson College of the Trades can be made.

As I was writing this, two days late, Al Alutius called at noon, Saturday, April 8, with the sad news that Kenneth L.“ Larry” Wadsworth died on Thursday, April 6. I believe he ended his career with Philadelphia Gear Corp. in 1997. He was an active member of the Friendship Fire Co., Royersford, Pa., and the viewing and services were held in the fire hall. More to follow next issue.

The Class of 1953 had 54 graduates. We now have 24 living which is 44 percent. I believe there are three of your classmates, Bubel, Harper, and Zipse, that are members of the Wanamaker Society. Why not leave a small fraction of your estate to Williamson as thanks for the 3-year education that Mr. Williamson provided you and that education, if like me, allowed you and me to be successful. Call Pete D’ Orazio, 610-566- 1776, ext. 400, four information.

Till the next issue, C-75, 19W53

H. Ronald Richardson 178 Maple Ave. Southampton, PA 18966 215-355-2984 colorronr @ msn. com

Here I go again for the umpteenth time with some news and gossip for your delight and enjoyment … yeah … sure! How many of these notes are read throughout the alumni( 3,500) and friends( 2,000)?? Carl Vairo does a wonderful and sometimes stressful job of putting together each issue. He does most of the photography and I think he does a very fine job.

Today is April 6 and two days ago we had another luncheon at WTS. I’ m sure there are other write-ups about the 5W4 Class Luncheon. The school has provided this special day each April for the last three years and I hope this will continue as we go forward. I’ ll just note here who from our class was able to attend. We did have some cancellations, but from 5W4, we had the following: Don and Gloria Kemper, Don and Joan Keen, Al and Marie Grover, Wayne and Ruth Zimmerman, Gloria Burrell, Mary Whitesel, Bob Cramer, Leroy Coer, Ken Cook, Bob Mench, Dave Schrenk, and the Richardsons. I had hoped the Bill Smigos would attend, but a sudden friend’ s funeral changed their plans. The Parsons( always on hand for EVERY 5W4 activity), missed this one for medical issues. There were others from the‘ 40s,‘ 50s, and‘ 60s in attendance, along with

some school staff. The count was near 50. As noted, I hope we will do this again in 2018 … possibly on April 3. This coming fall, we are again booked for Shady Maple on Oct. 10 at noon. Put that date on your calendar.

Since the last issue, there isn’ t a lot of current news over the winter. I was able to get to Florida again for two months and in February, I drove down to Ft. Myers from Sarasota to visit with George Gillespie. He has been there now for over two years. As noted in a past issue, he still volunteers at an auto museum in Punta Gorda two days a week. He still has his’ 67 Olds, but it’ s not on display. He told me that son, Jamie 9W3, in Tarpon Springs, may move to a new home, with an attached apartment. If so, then George will probably make a move to live with his family. Jamie has two teenage daughters and so, they will have Grandpop on a daily basis. When I left George, I decided to pop in and surprise Dick and Liz Maffett, who have a winter home in the Ft. Myers area, a few miles away from George. They live in a gated community, and so getting into Pine Lakes, was no problem. The gate guard just happened to be from Pennsylvania … Doylestown … and he believed my tale of wanting to SHOCK the Maffetts.( Remember, I wrote about a surprise visit in January to Bill and Lorraine Smigo?) Well … unfortunately, Dick and Liz were not in Florida this year because Dick has been battling some serious health problems.

You know, when we old geezers DO get together, we are comparing stories of our aches, pains, and problems that are so evident here in our 80s. I realize some other class reps will write THEIR notes and include a lot of data about so and so’ s various medical conditions and problems. I’ m sure there are many ailments to discuss among ourselves. Who cares that I had cataract surgery … what really matters is, I can see clearly now to continue to write a little gossip, every few months. Now, some reminder gossip, to absorb. Don’ t forget to stop by school on Alumni Day, June 3. This year, at the banquet, the school will again pay tribute and honor our pal, Bruce Burrell. He’ s been chosen to receive the Alumnus of the Year Award, posthumously. I’ ve been asked to make the presentation to Gloria. I hope some of“ youz guys” will consider attending the dinner.

Recently, Gloria gave me some WTS items that Bruce had saved from our days at school in the‘ 50s. Among them were many issues of the Williamsonian. You may recall, in those days, the issue was 6 X 9 inches. I think it was actually printed on campus by the then printer / photographer, Howard E. Thynge. Included among the issues was the first one after we graduated( Sept / Oct 1954). Reading through over a dozen of these old issues was fun. Included was a program from the Oct. 17, 1953, Homecoming Day football game. Who can remember that, playing in that game so long ago, were the following members of our senior class: the starters that day were Wayne Zimmerman # 5 at QB, Bob Cramer # 23 at right end, Ron Underkoffler # 26 at right guard, Bill Roberts # 1 at center, and Bruce Burrell # 9 at left end, Bill Byerly # 4 at right halfback and Bill Blyler # 2 at left halfback. Not listed as starting the game, but also on the roster were Jim Grove # 15, Roy Osburne # 12, Dick Maffett # 16, Terry Earll # 13 and Herm Marks # 22. Head coach was Gunnar Nilson and assistant coach was Bill Swinehart.

Now, with all this info … I have no clue

who won that game. Just thought a little travel back down memory lane might interest a few guys. As for memories … does anyone remember that upon graduating, it was Charlie Miller who started writing for the Williamsonian?? I’ m not sure how long he did this, but in his first issue( Sept.-Oct.’ 54) he noted that Don and Gloria Kemper and George and Leona Keller were the first two couples to marry in the summer of 1954.

There’ s a lot of old info in those early issues, and later this year I’ ll dig up some more 63-year-old news to tax your memory. Hey guys … at 82-83-years-old … our memories are slipping. Maybe some of these old tidbits will ignite a spark in your brain.

Something I think you should remember is that we are planning again to“ Meet, Greet, and Eat” at Dave’ s mountain home this summer as always on the first weekend in August.( 4-5-6). We have done this since 1989. Some of you have never been to any of these parties. Remember … between Dave, Frank, and I, we can host many couples for a few days. We often have other alumni join us, so why not contact us and book a time.

I’ m nearly finished for now, but I always make a pitch for school support. Take a look back to those early days in the 50s, and think about what Williamson means to you. It’ s very important that we help to keep WTS the most“ Unique Trade School in America.”

I have some last minute reminders: 1. Alumni Day, June 3, and the Banquet w / award for Bruce. 2. Summer Weekend in Pocono’ s, August 4-5-6. 3. October Homecoming on the 14th. 4. December Christmas lunch at Dave’ s in Newtown( date in next issue).

I always close with a quote or two that I like. 1.“ They say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”-Andy Warhol. 2.“ Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next.”-Jonas Salk. Till next issue … smile awhile and take your meds!

REP RON

Richard McCormick 2301 Chestnut Tree Road Honey Brook, PA 19344 610-942-3584 glensherdick @ verizon. net

Ed and Nancy Minnich arrived in Florida in December, planning to return to Pennsylvania in late March or early April for a“ necessary medical treatment” prescribed for Ed. Ed brings to our attention that he has correctly spelled“ necessary” in the preceding sentence. Ed attributes his spelling acumen to one of many lessons learned in“ Juggy Yeaw’ s” English class. He recalls one of Mr. Yeaw’ s teaching methods- Spelling by Association. Ed provides the following timeworn example:“ A CESSPOOL IS NEC- ESSARY,” both spelled correctly with one“ C.” And you may recall that if you weren’ t paying attention, you became the target of a“ flying” blackboard eraser accompanied with:“ I teach; you learn!”

Ed reports feeling well noting that in spite of his age his golf game exhibits a slight improvement in distance off the tee. Although he would be pleased to believe otherwise, he suggests this is attributable to an increase in the roll of the ball on Florida fairways in the winter. This is a good thing, however, as all golfers know:“ The course giveth and the course taketh away!”