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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