16

The Class of 6W5 had a good time in October when they joined up with the Class of 5W4’ s Shady Maple get-together. They enjoyed getting caught up on each other’ s live, shared some old stories, and enjoyed a fantastic buffet.

cold January morning, I reflect on the past year. I hope you have had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a happy, healthy New Year.

I am looking forward to signing up for Service Week again this year and perhaps learning a new skill. It was a great week working alongside two students from Williamson last year. While helping the local community and some deserving nonprofits, we can“ cross pollinate” some students with our experiences and skills.

In December, I had the opportunity to introduce three gentlemen to Williamson. Although they live in the West Chester area( about 15 miles away) they knew little or nothing about Williamson. They were given, along with me, a tour of the shops, campus, Strine Learning Center, and lunch after the tour. Needless to say, they were very impressed with the students, faculty, the facilities, and the education provided. Hopefully, I can do more of this to get more people informed of this wonderful opportunity.

While on the tour it was great to see the construction of the new Watson dorm. We were impressed and pleased to know the architect and builder are both Williamson graduates.

My regular email classmate, Hal Curry, who sends me some very interesting items from time to time, tells me he has a new girlfriend who is“ Trump friendly.” I know Hal told me he lost his wife several years ago. All the best to you, Hal.

Karen and I can cross one item off our bucket list. In September, we flew to Portland, Or., and drove the Coastal Highway from Oregon to San Diego. This was not our first trip to the West Coast, but the first time we stuck to the coast. Beautiful scenery the entire trip, but I must admit the drive along the winding highway gave me an upper body workout every day. Of course, we had to drive through the Redwood Forest, which I didn’ t realize was such a large area. It is huge, many miles long. We also took a small side trip to the California wine country for two days … to check on the grape harvest, of course!

Once again, I would like to hear from the rest of you. Don’ t be afraid of the phone or email and let me know what you’ ve been doing, where you’ ve traveled, what you’ re involved in, etc., so we can share it in the next Williamsonian. So long for now.

Bob

Norman Lepping 1741 Old Forty Foot Rd. Harleysville, PA 19438 215-362-8255 redbrickping @ verizon. net

Hi:

I hope all of the 6W4s had a wonderful Christmas with family and a great New Year’ s celebration, that is if you were able to stay awake until the ball dropped. For the past couple of years I know that I’ ve had that problem. For probably the last eight years Carol and I have spent New Year’ s eve with friends in Yardley, arrive in the afternoon, have appetizers, have a great dinner, watch the ball drop, sleep over, enjoy a late breakfast, then motor to Blue Bell to another friend’ s home to have a pork and sauerkraut dinner. Always an enjoyable start to the new year.

I talked to Darrell Sill, who was having some minor shoulder surgery last fall, George Litzke, who is still coaching middle school soccer, George Pitonyak who will be building that Great Wall forever, and Vince Barth by phone last fall, and all are in good health. Vince had asked to be included in any mini reunions. Several other mates have expressed an interest, but not much of a spark behind it.

I sucked some news from several Christmas family letters.

The Litzkes were busy with their grandkid’ s events which cover a wide range of activities: soccer, basketball, baseball, musicals, concerts, Mock Trial competitions, and dance and singing recitals. They are very proud grandparents. In July they flew to Denver, rented a car and drove through Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. George enjoyed seeing the first team of girls he coached four years ago play on a team that made it to the state championships in Hershey, Pa. George still golfs and bowls.

The Yarnall family hopes you and all your family are enjoying the holidays together, with joy and in good health. The old folks are just the same, thankfully. Sr. is still plugging away driving a truck and complaining about the cold weather. Mark and Sandy took a fabulous cruise last summer starting in Boston and ending in Montreal. Their grandkids are in all sorts of musical programs at school.

Bryan and Rose Marie Wert are back in their rebuilt house, and in the process

of making it their home again. They plan to drive to Jacksonville on Christmas Day to visit Rose Marie’ s son and family and return on Dec. 30. I’ m sure the Wert’ s are glad to see 2016 become a distant memory.

Recent emails: Ron Francis, Norm, I think this is a current address for Butch- George Foreaker: geo4aker @ gmail. com. I haven’ t heard from him much lately, but this was accurate in October this year. Everything is going well here. I got one of my two cataracts removed. January for the second. I guess this is an“ old hat” operation for most of us by now. Just another implant to identify the body with. I can’ t imagine how small the serial number is on an eye lens. As you know the eye surgeries are pretty commonplace. No pain at all, but sunglasses kept all the new light at a minimum. I was out for less than a half an hour before I walked back out the door.

We bought six acres four years ago that my wife has put in 40 flower gardens. It keeps us both busy. Physically, it is great, but tiring, too. Well keep it up as long as possible. I probably mentioned in the past I had two hips years ago. I don’ t want knee trouble. Too much rehab for me.

We have family, including my middle daughter with five kids between six and 13, coming for four days for Christmas. Then we wait for warm weather to get outside. This time of year, I am working on our seventh car show in Chesapeake City, Md. 600 cars from as far away as Michigan last year. Our 50-50 is approaching $ 2,000 cash. Gotta get Foreaker’ s roadster to go that far. It sounds like most guys are staying busy which seems to be our secret. Sitting around sucks. Stay Warm, Ron

George Litzke, Merry Christmas kakes. Cheryl and I are just enjoying our grandkids. High school choir solo, middle school lead in the play, an two grade school A students. Sorry, just being bragging grandparents. Wishing all peace and good luck and health.

George Pitonyak, Hello Norm, Merry Christmas from Blacksburg, Va., Virginia Tech Country. We drive through the campus to go to church on the other side of town. It is a beautiful campus. Our son’ s family, including“ Little Miss Piece-of – Work,” our 4-year-old granddaughter, live here.

Enjoyed the two hour conversation we had a few weeks ago( so did I). Used some of your sage advice while working on The Great Wall during the cold weather. Many thanks!! I hope to work a few more days when I get back if it remains warm enough.( Yes, Darrell, I only have about one more year of work if the other knee cooperates.)

Tomorrow we will travel to Richmond to visit with daughter Audrey and her family. Her oldest son will be a senior in high school next year. Boy, is she getting old! My prayer for you and the rest of our classmates is a healthy and happy 2017. And don’ t forget to send a gift to WTS, we all owe Mr. Williamson so much. Pay it forward, fellas, just like someone did for us! G. P.

John Andrew, My venture into the commercial flooring business is still in play, although I need certain people to be in place and ready to change jobs before I can pull the trigger. If you know of any GC’ s or property managers we might be able to work within the Frederick, Md., area let me know. Stay tuned. Wife Jane was hospitalized

for a few days before Christmas, and we’ re still waiting for test results, but it seems like it was several things, including pneumonia. We’ d like to move to a more retiree-friendly place and community. Current house almost ready to put on the market, but want to wait for warmer weather. If y’ ll schedule the class picnic on a weekday, I might be able to attend this year. Hope to see you soon!

Vince Barth: Hey, Norm, Hope that the New Year finds everyone well. The Christmas holidays were great. Traveled from Sea Isle to Newtown, Pa., to Long Island, N. Y., visiting family. Had great weather every place we went. Even got to visit my twin sister Bernadette who was in from California. Looking forward to February in Bonita Beach, Fla. No other travel scheduled yet. May 2017 be a great year for all of us. Vince B-17

Darrell Sill: Yo, Norm: Well it’ s a new year( actually the most wonderful time in eight years!), so Barb and I are looking forward to more enjoyable family times with our sons and grandkids. My minor outpatient shoulder surgery went well, with no problems, and a full recovery. Otherwise, Barb and I enjoy good health for“ old folks.” I can’ t believe it’ s been over a year since our old buddy Stoney left us, but I’ m sure he’ s in a better place. Hope all of the boys of 6W4 are high and dry, and hope to see more of them at Alumni Day. Stay well, Darrell, B-42

William“ Reds” Swinehart: Hi, Norm, Hoping everyone had a good Christmas and New Year. Don’ t have much news to give you. Looking forward to my brother, Wayne 6W1, arriving for three months, staying in a home down the street from us across from the beach. Cathy and I are leaving in March for a transatlantic cruise to Portugal, Spain, and France. One more thing off the bucket list. Cruise includes a free beverage package so I might not remember what I see. Will also probably gain ten pounds. It’ s all good. Hope the Mates are well and have a great 2017.

John Eastman: Hi, Norm, First off, I trust all our classmates and their respective families had a very Merry“ Christmas,”( I think we are allowed to say that new), and will have a healthy and joyful 2017. I know most of you have many grandchildren and some great-grandchildren to spoil. We have one grandson and are very thankful for him.

Kaye and I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with family. No travel involved. New Year’ s eve had dinner with Dave Miller 6W1 and John Fox 6W7 at Stables, Thornton, Pa., then went back to Miller’ s for desert and a great fireworks display at midnight. Something we have been doing for many years. Retirementwise, Kaye will probably come home one day and say“ I’ ve had enough” and that will be that! As for me, not much heavy lifting involved, so I’ ll probably stay engaged until the end, whatever that means. We’ re not planning on any international travel this year, but God willing, an adventure to Germany, Belgium, and Austria are on the docket for 2018.

In closing, Kaye and I really appreciate you and Carol hosting the picnic each summer and look forward to the first Sunday in August this year. You have been the glue that has kept the“ core group” together all these years. Those who have not seen the need to join us have missed something