Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Gene Stern

I am so proud of our classmates for the support thay have shown our Performimg Arts Fund and how this was part of the reason for WHHS receiving this amazing award.

Sandy Steele (Bauman)

Such excting news! I volunteer with Mr. Brokamp's daughter and we were so happy to celebrate this achievement together at an activity this week. Thanks to everyone who made this happen!

Gail Weintraub (Stern)

Our Class of 1965 Performing Arts Fund has again impacted our alma mater. We should be proud of our PAF contributions made over the years.

More impressive news from the WHHS Theatre Department!

"I am incredibly happy to announce that Walnut Hills has been announced as one of the first schools in the nation to be awarded the rights to the revised version of the musical 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown', and with it a $10,000 grant to produce the show as past of our 24-25 theatre season.

"We were one of 16 schools selected from across the country to be one of the first theatre programs to tell the amazingly true rags-to-riches story of a woman who survived the sinking of the Titanic."

Mike Sherman '00 

Teacher/Theatre Department Producing Artistic Director

Sursum Ad Summum

Paul Simons

I have been slowly reading through the entry on the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold, the battles and fortifications. First great job Phil, what a work of history and second how did they do it all with no motors of any kind? A chain weighing 65 tons constructed and stretched across a river. Canons also weighing tons transported across hundreds of miles of rough terrain and deployed. Meanwhile today if somehow the remote becomes lost for a few minutes we are in deep trouble. How did they live such physically demanding lives and also keep their ideas whether useful today or not flowing? 

Philip Spiess

Paul:  Our forebears, the Founding Fathers and Mothers, started drinking spiritous beverages in the morning and continued to do so throughout the day -- hard cider, applejack, rum, Madeira wine, punch, whiskey, brandy, beer (which was served to children) -- no one touched the water, which was only fit for farm animals, or, nearer the coast, was salty.  So it wasn't just their ideas which were flowing (and which got them into trouble with the British).  Either said drinking stiffened their resolve for hard work -- or else they were so spiffled that they didn't realize they were working hard.  (Oh, and you didn't mention the thick mud through which they were dragging those cannons.)  Speaking of which, how did the colonials make iron cannon in those days -- at Saugus, Batsto, Allaire, Hopewell, Cornwall Furnace, and so on -- that didn't explode on them?

Bruce Fette

Phil and Paul,

Yes the cannons were large and heavy. But every time I think about the revolutionary war, and the war of 1812, and the civil war, there were very few roads, and equally very few bridges.  If you think about no roads, just think about pulling cannons up every hill, letting them back kdown the other side of every hill, and bushwacking your way through nearly every forest. And the whole army except George and two others had to walk to get almost everywhere. Yes, as Phil said, they tried to make use of rivers, when the river was going where they needed to go, but most of the surprises were where our forces were hidden in the forests.

Philip Spiess

Bruce:  Is that why you've gone in for rockets instead?  (And don't give me that red glare!)

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

It is with great sadness that I have learned that our classmate, Carolyn Louise Grant Burress passed away yesterday, November 26, 2023, in Dayton Ohio.  This afternoon, I received a call from our fellow classmate, Elaine Patton Walker, who gave me the news.  

Carolyn had just celebrated her 77th birthday last month on October 23.  

Besides being classmates, Carolyn and I worked together in the early 1970s as caseworkers at the welfare department.  She, I, and another young social worker did everything together until she moved to Dayton after meeting her husband, Rodney, who was in the Air Force.  Carolyn and I hadn't been in touch often, but I lived directly across the street from her sister for many years, and was kept updated.

I learned that Carolyn has one child, a daughter, Stephanie who lives in Atlanta, and who  just gave birth to Carolyn's first grandchild shortly before Carolyn's passing. 

Details will follow.

May her memory always be a blessing.

JoAnn Dyson (Dawson)

Ann--I'm sorry to see this news re our classmate, Carolyn.  I hope memories will support her family and friends and bring a comforting smile, as your lovely remembrance does.  I love the part about encouraging retirement!

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Thanks JoAnn. 
There are many other stories about our shenanigans, but since both Carolyn and our friend Anita are gone now, I will just keep them in my memory. 
 

Philip Spiess

In honor of the Walnut Hills High School Theater Department being selected to produce the revised version of the musical, The Unsinkable Molly Brown [# 6567 (11-19-2023)], I present the following:

Mrs. J. J. Brown, a.k.a. "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," in her heyday.

Paul Simons

The phenomenal software tells me that it's Ann Shepard Rueve's birthday. Happy Birthday Ann and thanks for being one of those consistently adding an upbeat character to this website in good times and bad. And these are among the latter so your contributions take on greater value. Happy Birthday!!

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Thanks Paul...that technology NEVER forgets.  It does have perks, Graeter's has invited me to come get my free treat for my birthday, and I never pass that up.
It is also Ed's and my anniversary. I just realized that this anniversary marks the year that I have lived without him the same amount of time I lived with him. I find that a bit unsettling. 

I posted several pictures on Facebook to note the milestone of my 77th trip around the sun, with the caption, "77 and counting". We aren't assured of a future, but I feel very fortunate to be able to wake up every morning curious to find where that day will take me.

Richard Murdock

Ann:

Happy Birthday from California  !   Hope you have a great birthday and have fun along the way.   I turn 77 in a couple of weeks and am looking forward to that day too.   I would rather be around to celebrate than not.   Every time I think of being 77, for some unknown reason my brain starts playing the opening theme song for 77 Sunset Street  -  a popular private detective TV series from the 1960's.   As a kid I loved that show, but I must admit I am getting tired of hearing the theme song in my mind.   My son will be taking me out to dinner at my favorite restaurant.  Great place and some of the best prime rib I have ever eaten.  Plan on raiding my wine cellar and will be bringing a truly terrific Cabernet from Napa Valley.   One of the perks of living close to some of the best wineries in the world. 

Best wishes and Happy Birthday,

Dick

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Thanks Dick. Funny I've been humming that tune too. Happy Birthday to you!!

David Buchholz asked if I was among the youngest in our class.  I really didn't know but I'm sure that Laura Pease is the youngest!! 

Your 77 Sunset Strip reference set me on a stream of consciousness journey, to all of the private eye shows on ABC during the era, then back to 77 Sunset Strip and Ephraim Zimbalist Jr. Then I thought of his father, the violinist, then to his daughter, Stephanie, who starred with (prior to his roles as James Bond or one of Meryl Streep's potential "baby daddys" in MAMA MIA) Pierce Brosnan in Remington Steele.  Take care!!
 

Becky Payne (Shockley)

Just a brief update on my health - for those of you who heard about my recent mild stroke (caused by bleeding in my R brain and resulting in my left hand and arm suddenly going numb and weak for about 15-20 minutes at a time). They continued almost daily for 2 weeks after my release from the hospital on Nov. 9, but by now I've gone a full week without one, and I think they will continue to decline in frequency - and maybe stop altogether! So I am feeling very hopeful - and basically normal most of the time. 

Ira Goldberg

So good to hear positive news, Becky. Another thing to feel grateful for having is health and one another. As a dear friend said to me recently, "Carpe Diem!"

Paul Simons

Glad to hear you're basically OK Becky. I'm sure you're doing what your doctor advised and taking the meds. I had a scare too - the telltale pain in the left shoulder on waking iup a few times and then a few weeks later the sharp chest pain which the cardiologist Dr. Ahmed identified as a heart attack caused by an 89% blocked artery. He immediately put in a stent and it reversed about 10 years of aging. I owe my life to Dr. Ahmed. Wouldn't it be something if we all understood ourselves and one another based on something real like what we do for others on this earth rather than on some ancient mythology by which we are programmed to define ourselves and others. Wouldn't it be nice. Anyway I have had to change my ways and the Skyline Chili and Jimmy Dean sausage people will have to get along without me. Although a 4-way with only a little bit of cheese wouldn't be too bad, would it?

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Becky I'm so glad your condition has improved and that you can return to your regular activities. You too Paul. 
As we all travel travel through time, our bodies are giving us all a reality check that we are not immortal.  Ira, that quote, "carpe diem" is my mantra. 

Many of you have been gracious enough to share your infirmities in this forum.  The group of WHHS aluma I dine with every second Saturday, THE DINING DIVAS, refer to these disclosures as our "organ recital". We have, collectively, a litany of conditions that if completing a preregistration for at a doctor's appointment, would check ALL OF THE ABOVE.  That said, several years ago, after having reasonably good health, lab tests found my kidneys are only working at about 42%, and cannot filter potassium out of my system. I feel fortunate that my kidneys have remained stable, but I have a strict low potassium diet to follow. I had always consumed a "healthy diet" with lots of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. I have now learned that white bread isn't too bad, but I sure miss bananas, beans, tomatoes, spinach, and potatoes. So far, so good!

Larry Klein

On the subject of b'days, belated happy one to Ann and early one to Richard. Also an early one to my b'day "twin", Becky Payne, who has many things to celebrate after her recent close calls.  Our b'days are on Monday 12/4.

Paul... I'll have an extra 4 way in your honor at Skyline. Take care of that ticker. I'm knocking on wood for mine!

Bonnie Altman (Templeton)

Becky, glad to hear you are on the mend. Be well. 
Bonnie

Ira Goldberg

Mr. Klein, in honor of your birthday. I am going to walk, not run, perhaps a mile or three, unless it's cloudy, rainy,  cold, hot, or I'm too tired. Nevertheless, wishing you a happy birthday. Continue your winning ways! Enjoy life!

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Happy

Birthday to the birthday twins, fellow Sagittarians, Becky and Larry

Richard Winter

Happy Birthday, Becky and Larry!