Class Notes

After all the excitement of last spring’s big 50^th class reunion we are quiet now, but some news to report. Fortunately, the summer and autumn were free of major storms and hurricanes.

Summer brought a news-filled email from Betty Waller, who reported a big family reunion that she and her friend Sam attended in New Market, Virginia. Part of the reunion was spent celebrating the 150th anniversary honoring the Battle of New Market, a small town located near Lexington. Interestingly, Betty’s grandfather, Robert Waller, was one of the 247 VMI cadets who participated in the battle, which proved to be a great victory for the South. She writes that a movie called The Field of Lost Shoes is to be released this autumn. The film depicts the lives of several of the cadets who fought in the famous battle.

Our sympathy goes to Jackie Williams Towler, whose late husband Horace was buried on August 29 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, having served as a Colonel in the Army in both Korea and Vietnam. Their son, John, is the father of one son and two stepsons.

Lou Davis Smith and her husband of 50 years spent part of the month of September enjoying a river cruise that began in Vienna and continued on to Amsterdam. Lou sends regards to our class, having loved the reunion and the very special time she spent with Sharon Belknap Brown and Jeanne Fornes Wendt.

Patti Jones Schacht writes that she and her family attended a large family reunion in August, leaving shortly afterward for a long-awaited trip to Northern Ireland in search of family roots. The trip sounded fascinating and the photos that Patti posted on Facebook were just terrific. I have been to the Irish Republic, which I love, but I must say that Northern Ireland looks gorgeous too! Patti and I are in touch on a regular basis thanks to Facebook.

Classmates Helen Clarke Calhoun and Beverley Sulpice Persell ’62 are two other Facebook regulars whose news I always enjoy receiving. Helen sends hilarious cartoons as well that make my day.

Joanne Crockett Lewis writes that although she and her husband were unable to make it to the class reunion, they were able to get up to Richmond later for a nice visit with Sally Witt and husband Sam, with whom I had the pleasure of staying when I attended the reunion. Joanne and Marvin flew to Norfolk, this summer where they enjoyed a great visit with Mike and Helen Vakos Standing at their home in Virginia Beach. They spent three wonderful days relaxing on Mike and Helen’s beautiful boat before driving up to Richmond to stay with Sally and Sam. The four of them went to lunch with Barbara Humphries Davenport and her husband at their house on Cary Street. That evening, they all celebrated Sally and Sam’s anniversary with a dinner at the beautiful Commonwealth Club in Downtown Richmond. Then it was back to Virginia Beach to visit Florence Young Ballback and her husband, Butch. Joanne writes that she talked herself hoarse, but had a most wonderful visit.

Getting back to Facebook: for ages I resisted it, but finally joined up and just love it! I am always in touch with many former students, classmates and colleagues. Many of my present colleagues and friends from Convent of the Sacred Heart are on it, and people seem to join up constantly.

Okay folks, that’s it for now. Have a beautiful, safe, happy time these next few months, and my warmest wishes to each one of you. Don’t forget to email…your news is always a pleasure for the rest of us to hear.