"East Coasters Do Practice Reunion" L-R: Kneeling: Paul Flynn, Roger Sorensen, Rick Patterson, Jim Seevers, Bill Drennan, and Scribe. Standing: Charlie Seifert, John Gonda, Warren Lamont, Bruce Gerrity, Tom McDaniel, Ed Eberhart, Dave Prevost, Glenn Zauber, Dennis McLain, Lew Reed, and Bob Johnston.
NEWS FROM HITHER AND YON: I received an e-mail from Manny Bettencourt saying that is doing physical therapy and exercises that are helping to relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis of the hip. As you may remember, Manny has been plagued by more than his fair share of health issues over the years and to find a treatment that seems to be working is a big deal! Wife, Kim, is working hard and wrestling with her mother's estate. News on the children, is as follows: son, Aria, is currently holding down two jobs and will be attending University of South Carolina in Beaufort in 2008; daughter, Nadia graduated as an honor roll student from high school and will be attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia in the fall; and daughter, Natasha, turned 16 in July, is on the honor roll and will be beginning 11th grade, cheerleading, and getting experience as a newly minted, licensed driver. In their spare time, Manny and family are helping to rebuild their community and church that was devastated by a hurricane storm surge five years ago.
Following the theme of digging out from Mother Nature's wrath, I received a first-time note from Doug Broussard who is living in Slidell, LA and working as an environmental engineer at the Northrop Grumman Ship System's Yard in New Orleans. Doug says that his office stands in front of the construction site of the USS New York (the bow section made from steel recycled from the World Trade Center) which should be launched sometime in 2008. After two years of rebuilding his house and replacing everything that he owned, Doug and wife, Patty, have pretty much recovered from the losses due to Katrina but noted that the eastern portion of New Orleans and the lower Ninth Ward sill look as though they were hit by a B-52 arc light strike. He and Patty both enjoy fishing and boating and welcome any who care to venture into Cajun Country for equal portions of speckled trout and cold beer.
Jim and Marcia Reese Down-Under
"The Gerhardt Family in Front of the Mayon Active Volcano near Legazpi Airport in the Philippines" L to R: Clark, Nico, Maria, and Miguel.
As you wind your way along the road less traveled,
you might run into another of '68's globe trotters, Clark Gerhardt and
family. Forsaking the confines of San Francisco for the open skies of Hailey,
ID upon retirement, Clark and wife, Maria, and sons Miguel and Nico appear to
be enjoying their freedom. In March, they flew to the Philippines to visit Maria's
family and stayed at a beach house for a couple of weeks. The time on the water
included "snorkeling, SCUBA diving, swimming with 40-foot whale sharks, and
sea kayaking into the nearby bat caves. Regarding the whale sharks, Clark noted,
"It was disconcerting at first, but once you realize they won't eat you in
the first few minutes, you begin to relax. If swimming with fish the size of submarines
can be relaxing!"
For down time, Clark writes it was nice to enjoy
the 85 degree, crystal, clear water; time with the extended family; massages;
and San Miguel beer. He believed that some of you will remember at least a couple
of those items from your time in the Philippines many years ago.
Given
a range of retirement options, Clark said he is reverting to his old habits while
he is still able: ice climbing in Ouray, CO; rock climbing at Red Rocks near Las
Vegas; and hiking/climbing in Peru. While at home, Maria wins volunteer mother
of the year with work at both of the boys' schools. Clark has also accepted the
mantle of responsibility for his home turf as President of the regional Land Trust.
THANKS TO COLORADO CONTINGENT: While pursuing travel plans of my own
this summer, I had the opportunity to get together with some of our classmates
in the Colorado Springs/Monument area in June. Many thanks go to Garry Dudley
and Carl Janssen for setting up the evenings' activities. Photos will be
included in the next column.
THAT'S A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep 'em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in to Pat Russell and me. Please go to the class website to see photos included in this column in color and in full size. Ciao for now. Tim