Cyberponies Now Total 223.
Back in 1996, when Judy Browning Clark began to send group e-mails to classmates, she would not have
believed how this group would grow. She had a list of 11 e-mails when she proposed
naming the group “Cyberponies”. Now, after 13 years, our Cyberpony
e-mail group totals 223 classmates and friends. We have had a steady increase
of members over the years and now have the ability to send mail to the group by posting it to one address - hhs1960@yahoogroups.com. We all owe Judy big time for getting us started.
New E-Mail Addresses.
Antonio, Carla Latta - melatmico@yahoo.com
Cooper, Tom - thc12181@verizon.net
Gilmour, Jim - jigilm@sbcglobal.net
Grimm, Julie Justice - grimmj65@comcast.net
Pelfrey, Doug - dpelfreyn@aol.com
Rahal, Betty Tweel - betty.rahal@verizon.net
Rice, Bertie Anne Humphries - barice723@yahoo.com
Sane, Sharleen Berry - cliffsharsane@yahoo.com
Simpkins, Donald - don_simpkins@ yahoo.com
Smith, Frank - fsmith1218@bellsouth.net
Wireman, Mary Nancarrow - marylu_22@yahoo.com
New Cyberpony - Bertie
Anne Humphreys Rice
Please welcome Bertie Anne Humphreys Rice to the Cyberponies. Bertie Anne lives in Lancaster, OH where she is retired with
her husband Bill. They have two children and four grandchildren. Following HHS, Bertie Anne attended Marshall University
and graduated with a BA in Education in 1964. She received her Masters in Education and School Counseling
from The University of Dayton in 1986. Bertie Anne enjoys working out at the gym, reading mystery books, and listening
to southern gospel and bluegrass music. See Bertie Anne’s photo at Classmate
Photos.
New Cyberpony
- Julie Justice Grimm
I would like to introduce another new Cyberpony. I found Julie Justice Grimm when she registered
on Facebook and listed HHS Class of 1960 for her high school. Julie was known as Jewell Justice in
school. It is really great to find another missing classmate. Julie is
very anxious to meet all of you again after so many years. In our first correspondence, she mentioned knowing Wilsie
Hale, Betty Tweel, Martha Kiser, Mike Benton, Bob Smith, and Sharon Sudduth as some friends from HHS. Now,
after seeing the names and photos in our class web site, she is remembering many more of you.
Julie attended HHS in her sophomore and Junior years before graduating at Vashti
Methodist School for Girls (Thomasville, GA) in 1960. Julie writes, “After
graduating from Vashti Methodist, a classmate and I moved to Atlanta
and I worked as a secretary for an insurance company. I moved back home (Dayton,
OH) after that and met my husband through a mutual friend. We moved out to California
where we lived and raised our family for 17 years. I have 2 girls and one grandson. I went to Fullerton Jr. College where I majored in Art
History, but my real estate career took off and I've been at it off and on since then. My second husband passed
away in 1993 and I have been widowed ever since.”
Julie now lives in Winchester, VA
where she is a realtor with Long and Foster/Webber & Associates. Julie says, “I have lived in the same house
for 26 years and having just researched the deed, it was built Nov. 21, 1835. That's amazing to me! It is a lovely
old home, but I'm thinking of selling and moving back to California
when the market picks up again. I love the real estate industry and you asked what I do....it keeps me busy, I meet
interesting people and am never bored.” Her hobbies are Debbie McComber novels, crochet, lunch and dinner with
friends, vacations in California and lots of networking
with former clients and friends. Julie says that she would love to hear from the Cyberponies. It is great to remove Julie’s name from the missing list and welcome her to the Cyberponies. See Julie, her daughter Lisa, and grandson Daniel at Classmate Photos.
Tom Cooper Returns
to Cyberponies
It has been a while since Tom Cooper switched e-mail providers. I recently contacted him and
he is ready to rejoin our e-mail group. Please give him a big welcome. Tom
and his wife Ann live in Proctorville, OH.
Tom has retired from INCO (1997) and Ann also retired from BASF (1996). They have been married 46 years and have
one daughter and 2 grandchildren. Tom and Ann enjoy taking cruises. On a recent cruise, Tom slipped and injured
his left shoulder. After returning, he had rotator cuff surgery. With therapy three days a week now, this
keeps him busy. And, it will be a while before he can get back on the golf course.
Welcome back Tom.
Frank Smith Returns
to Cyberponies
Please welcome Frank Smith back to the Cyberponies. Frank attended HHS in his sophomore year
and then went to East High School
to study at the Trade School. At East, he was pretty much all study and work (after school) so he did not get to know
the larger body of students there or participate in school activities. As a result, he considers HHS his high school. After high school, Frank joined the US Air Force where he spent 5 years in the Security
branch. He married his wife Linda, after returning from basic training, on December 18, 1960. They have three
children and three grandchildren. Linda is a 1960 graduate of Parkersburg
High School.
After service, Frank and Linda settled in Belpre, Ohio
where Frank began work for Borg Warner Chemical. They were bought out by GE in 1988. Frank worked there 32-1/2
years before retirement. After retirement, they moved to Iron Station, NC to be close to family. Frank now works
at Wal-Mart in Inventory. He also does remodeling work. He and his son are currently building garages for each
other. It is good to have Frank back with the Cyberponies.
Carla Latta Antonio
Also Returns to the Cyberponies.
Please welcome Carla Latta Antonio to the Cyberponies. Carla
has retired from nursing and has spent several years moving with her husband, Melvin, to his assignments as a doctor
in the military. Therefore, I lost her e-mail address. I recently caught up with Carla, and find that she and
Melvin will be moving again to Corpus Christi, TX.
Melvin has completed seminary and will be serving two churches there starting a new career as a minister.
Carla recently lost her mother in Florida, where
her father (age 94) still lives. She spent many years traveling between Texas
and Florida looking after her parents. Carla says that she would like to re-join the Cyberponies and connect again with her classmates.
Welcome back Carla. Good luck on your move.
Classmate - Buford
Thomas (Tom) Poling.
I have recently learned that our classmate, Buford Thomas (Tom) Poling passed away on June 29, 2005
at the age of 62. I spoke with his sister, Brenda Poling Burke (HHS'62) about Tom yesterday.
Tom had been suffering with a heart condition after having strokes previously. He died of a sudden heart attack
at his home. Brenda said that Tom was a very hard worker and never stopped up
until his passing. His first job was at the Phillips Train and Hobby Shop in Huntington
at the age of 14. After graduation with our class at HHS, he went to Florida
in 1964 where his mother and dad had moved. Eventually, all of the Polings would move to Florida
and live near Daytona Beach. Tom married Dorothy Slusher
from Williamson, WV and they
had 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Tom worked at
Cape Canaveral for many years. He also worked for the Daytona Beach News and did home
repairs. Tom's obituary, from the Daytona Beach News Journal (7/6/2005) is shown
below.
Buford Thomas (Tom) Poling. Funeral service for Buford
Thomas "Tom" Poling, 62, Rockledge, formerly of Seaway Avenue, Daytona Beach, who died Wednesday, June 29, 2005, was 2 p.m. yesterday, July 5, at Atlantic
Mortuary, 117 Barton Ave., Rockledge. Tom was born
in Huntington, W.Va., and
moved to this area in 1964. He delivered newspapers for The News-Journal for many years. He loved his family and friends and
would do anything for them. Survivors include wife, Dorothy Poling, Rockledge; two daughters, Margaret Poling and Samantha
Degraw, Cocoa; son, Tom Poling Jr., Daytona Beach; mother, Maxine Poling, Daytona Beach; brother, Gary Poling, Stuart; sister,
Brenda Burke, Daytona Beach; 10 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter .
You can see Buford’s photo at Classmate Photos.
Classmate - Don C.
Thomas, Jr.
I am sorry to inform you of the passing of classmate Don C. Thomas Jr. on Friday, June 19, 2009.
The following obituary is from Chapman's Mortuary Web site.
Don C. Thomas, Jr., 67, of Huntington, WV,
passed away Friday, June 19, 2009, at the Ohio State
Medical Center, Columbus, OH. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM
Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Chapman’s Mortuary, Huntington,
with Pastor Claude Spurlock officiating. Burial will be in White
Chapel Memorial Gardens,
Barboursville. He was born March 2, 1942 in Big Creek, Logan County, WV, a son of the late Don and Nancy Elizabeth Fillinger Thomas. A son, Brad Thomas, also
preceded him in death. He was a journeyman electrician with IBEW Local No. 317 and the Veterans
Administration Medical Center;
a U.S. Air Force veteran; and a member of Cross Roads Baptist Church.
Survivors include: his wife, Patsy Albright Thomas; two daughters, Patricia Thomas of Huntington and Cherie Thomas of Barboursville;
a son and daughter-in- law, Greg and Kate Thomas of Suwanee, GA; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Jerry Thomas of Charlotte,
NC and David and Sandy Thomas of Greenville, SC; and numerous grandchildren. Friends may call from 5:00PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday,
June 23, 2009, at Chapman’s Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapmans- mortuary. com.
You can see Don’s photo at Classmate Photos.
Donna is Continuing
Her Battle
Donna Carey Dewey is still battling the serious blood condition called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic
Purpura (ITP). After treatment at Duke
University Medical Center
earlier this year, her condition stabilized and she was able to return to Huntington for rehab
at Heritage Center. There, she has progressed to be able walk again with the aid of a walker. Judy Sheers Swann told me that Donna had to return to St. Marys for several days to be
treated for dehydration, but will return to the Rehab Center soon. Through the whole ordeal,
Donna has had the best attitude and really appreciates all of the cards, calls, and visits from her classmates.
Remembering Others
Who Have Left Us.
Please join with me to remember our friends and family who passed away recently.
Mrs. Mae Welch Deacon, 96, Huntington, WV. Jenny Deacon Daniels’
step-mother passed away April 18, 2009.
Mr. William Larry Ferguson, 70, Columbus, OH. Earl Ferguson’s
brother passed away April, 28, 2009.
Mrs. Nell Woodall Wharton, 95, Huntington, WV. Mary Ellen Wharton Camden’s
mother passed away May 5, 2009.
Mrs. Eileen Virginia Latta, 92, Cape Coral, FL. Carla Latta Antonio’s
mother passed away May 7, 2009.
Mrs. Amy Kaiser Varnum, 89, Huntington, WV. G. Anne Varnum McComas’
mother passed away May 18, 2009.
Mr. Ralph May, 69, Barboursville, WV. Judy Hinerman May’s (HHS’59) husband passed away May
22, 2009.
Ron's Hike in the Woods
Ron Cheatham sent us his very interesting account of his recent hiking experience on the Appalachian Trail. Thanks for sharing your story, Ron.
'Uncle' Ron's Walk In The Woods. Cold, Wet, Tired & Hungry - Walking The Appalachian Trail. By
Ron Cheatham. April 2009.
The flight to Atlanta was smooth and uneventful. We
had a hundred knot tailwind so the flight only took 3 hours and some minutes. I
was seated in a middle seat between two women, one a humor therapist (whatever that is) from Mesa and another who wanted to hear ALL about it. I was deep in thought, however, about my
upcoming walk on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), one of my lifelong dreams. I knew I wouldn’t have any problems with my
luggage because I saw my backpack being loaded on the plane. All I had to worry about was getting to ‘the trail.’
The Appalachian Trail is the granddaddy of long hikes. It wanders across fourteen
states from Georgia to Maine.
It’s approximately 2,200 miles long and traverses such bucolic places as the Great Smoky Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley,
the Blue Ridge Mountains and Mount Washington. Thinking of it rekindled memories of my youth
when my father took us kids camping in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
I was about 9 years old.
The A.T. starts at Springer Mountain, Georgia,
north east of Atlanta. I got off the plane, retrieved my back
pack and hopped on the metro/train to downtown Atlanta. Getting
off at the appropriate stop near downtown center, I walked next door to the Greyhound bus terminal and caught a ride to Gainesville, GA., a small to medium
college town. It’s about one and a half hours up the road from Atlanta.
As I got off the bus, I met an older gentleman who had a backpack and a walking stick. I asked him if he was comin’
or goin’. He was going. He had a heart operation several years ago and when he made it to the top of Springer Mountain, his heart started acting
up. He decided that, discretion being the better part of valor, he was headin’ home. I didn’t think too much about
what he said at the time. I would vividly remember it later, however. I bid him farewell and walked several blocks to a Holiday
Inn for a last night’s comfortable stay.
I was still 35 or so miles from the trail. The motel manager said to go down the road 4 stop lights and turn right.
I loaded up, hiked to the designated intersection, stuck out my thumb and started my quest. It was April the 16th.
After 45 minutes or so, a man picked me up and took me to the middle of a modern shopping center complex. He said I
shouldn’t have to wait too long, and he was right. An out of work fellow, who happened to have some prison time in this
past, was my salvation. I seem to meet the most interesting people. He stated, of course, that he was innocent of all charges
and that ‘they’ were looking for the guilty party. Isn’t that always the way? He was really a nice guy and
as we got to talking, he took me further and further down the road toward my destination. The weather the previous week was
awful. Tornadoes passed through the Atlanta area. Trees were
down and they had constant rain for several days. As we headed toward the trail, our weather was perfect. Not a cloud in the
sky. The temperature was 65 or so. The dogwoods were in full bloom, the trees had light green foliage. Spring was in the air
and the living was easy! This fellow ended up taking me all the way to my destination. His father was a minister so I called
him The Good Samaritan. I told him I now had to do a good deed for another person because of him. He seemed to like that idea.
You can’t get to the A.T. from here – or anywhere else for that matter!
Once you get there, you’re still not there. The access to the A.T. is a trail that starts in Georgia’s Amicalola Falls State Park. Its 8.8 miles from the park
to the beginning of the A.T. – straight up a million stairs and a mountain or two. The Amicalola falls are the highest
east of the Mississippi River. After registering at the ranger desk, I headed out.
The access trail turns uphill immediately. I didn’t go 200 yards before I took off my outer shirt. The panting
commenced at once. If there was one step up and around the falls there were 5,000 (actually 604)! I was immediately out of
breath and had to stop frequently to catch same. After trekking .6 miles and reaching the top of the 729 foot falls, the actual
approach trail to the A.T. started. A sign indicated that it was 8 point something miles long and that normal travel time
was 6 hours or so. This couldn’t be correct. Surely I could make better time than that!
I’ve had this dream to walk the A.T. for several years. I started getting into condition in October. I bought
my boots and properly broke them in. I walked around the golf course systematically lengthening my walks until I built up
calluses. I purchased a back pack and loaded it with 35 to 40 pounds of supplies. I concluded my preparation with a lengthy
6 hour hike, fully loaded, from the house to my office – 15 miles. I camped behind my office. I tested my cook stove
and ate what I would eat on the trail. The next evening, I walked 15 miles back to the house. I had to fight Miss. Anna all
the way on my idea. She thought that I was a silly fool and half crazy to boot! I think she was actually making plans to have
me committed at one point. She was wishfully hoping for me to break my leg or something along those lines so that I would
stop this foolishness. You see, I planned to walk the trail without a cell phone and alone. Everyone with whom I spoke felt
that walking alone would surely be the end of me.
I was ready – or so I thought. I’m also old. Things don’t work as well now as when I was 25. So,
here I am looking up at that staircase to the sky, and the hills around me, as I huff and puff up the trail. I’m committed.
I didn’t walk all those miles getting ready for this to back out now.
The weather is truly ideal. A clear, blue sky and cool weather welcomed me. I’ve taken off my outer shirt and
removed my hat so heat can escape my body more easily.
The following is a direct quote from Bill Bryson’s wonderful book A Walk in the Woods. It explains exactly what I was going through - exactly!
“It was hell. First days on hiking trips always are. I was hopelessly out of shape – hopelessly. The pack
weighed way too much. Way too much. I had never encountered anything so hard, for which I was so ill prepared. Every step
was a struggle.
The hardest part was coming to terms with the constant dispiriting discovery that there is always more hill. The thing
about being on a hill, as opposed to standing back from it, is that you can almost never see exactly what’s to come.
Between the curtain of trees at every side, the ever receding contour of rising slope before you, and your own plodding weariness,
you gradually lose track of how far you have come. Each time you haul yourself up to what you think must surely be the crest,
you find that there is in fact more hill beyond, sloped at an angle that kept it from view before, and that beyond that slope,
there is another, and beyond that another and another, and beyond each of those more still, until it seems impossible that
any hill could run on this long. Eventually you reach a height where you can see the tops of the topmost trees, with nothing
but clear sky beyond, and your faltering spirit stirs – nearly there now! – but this is pitiless deception. The
elusive summit continually retreats by whatever distance you press forward, so that each time the canopy parts enough to give
a view, you are dismayed to see that the topmost trees are as remote, as unattainable, as before. Still you stagger on. What
else can you do?
When, after ages and ages, you finally reach the telltale world of truly high ground, where the chilled air smells
of pine sap and the vegetation is gnarled and tough and wind bent, and push through to the mountain’s open pinnacle,
you are, alas, past caring. You sprawl face down on a sloping pavement of gneiss, pressed to the rock by the weight of your
pack, and lie there for some minutes, reflecting in a distant, out–of-body way that you have never before looked this
closely at lichen, not in fact looked this closely at anything in the natural world since you were four years old and had
your first magnifying glass. Finally, with a weary puff, you roll over, unhook yourself from your pack, struggle to your feet,
and realize – again in a remote, light-headed, curiously not-there way – that the view is sensational: a boundless
vista of wooded mountains, unmarked by human hand, marching off in every direction. This really could be heaven. It’s
splendid, no question, but the thought you cannot escape is that you have to walk this view, and this is the hardest fraction
of what you will traverse before you’ve finished.”
It was beautiful on the top of the mountains. You really don’t have time to look at the scenery too much, however.
Your actions are distilled down to only a few actions – walking, resting, and watching the trail so you don’t
trip and fall. The trees at this time of year were mostly bare. There were no flowers, no animals or much else to see. On
the top of the mountains, spring was just thinking about starting. It would probably start tomorrow or early next week.
You walk ‘the trail’ in
shorts, hiking boots, two pair of socks and a shirt or two depending on the weather. A hat is necessary to protect you from
the sun and rain. Mine was off that first day for the cooling effect. You don’t wear underwear because on long hikes
they chafe you in the most sensitive areas. My shorts are 100% polyester as it’s soft on the skin. Cotton and other
material will also chafe you especially when it gets wet.
The pack is a whole another thing. Like a turtle, you carry all that is necessary for your survival for the next 4
days or so. Then you replenish. You carry food that is light and as nutritious as possible like dehydrated soup and noodles.
Macaroni and cheese is nice. You also want to have some Snickers candy bars around for a jolt of energy. I had some beef jerky
as well as pepperoni sausage. You must, of course, remove the pack to get to anything. It weights about 40 pounds. It has
a large web belt at its base which fits above your hips. There are several straps which can be adjusted to tighten the pack
to your body. It’s surprisingly easy to carry your load as the weight is balanced on your back. Putting the pack back
on requires more effort. I had to bend over, get the load repositioned and adjust the various straps. I did this more than
I liked.
Since I was always tired going uphill, my favorite position was bent over, both hands on my knees while panting. Panting
until I regained my breath. This took several minutes. My pulse during ascents was 140+ beats per minute. Traveling downhill
was worse. I could feel the load stressing my hip joints and especially the front inside of both knees. Then, 3 ½ hours into
my hike, I tripped and fell.
The trail surface condition varies considerably as you can imagine. Through years of wear and tear, the trail has weathered
to expose rocks and roots. The longer you walk, the lower you raise your feet. You know how silly you felt when you tripped
on that ¼ inch crack in the sidewalk? That’s what happened to me. Serious stuff, really. You can easily twist your ankle
or fall onto a sharp rock and break something. I was always looking down to keep that from happening. Fortunately, I fell
properly and just scraped my knee a little. I lie there for a moment or two - just like in Bill Bryson’s piece previously
cited. It was time for a break. I rolled over, removed my pack and ate an apple. This was the first time in my life that I
ate the entire apple – seeds and all! You don’t waste food on the A.T.
Hour after hour, I trudged up and down the hills towards 3,782 foot tall Springer
Mountain. Occasionally, I met another hiker. We exchanged pleasantries
then moved on. A mile and a half from the top of the mountain, I saw my first spring and shelter. The springs near the top
of the mountains are relatively clean even though it is recommended you filter or purify the water in some way. The shelters
are three sided affairs built by the local hiking clubs or the government. They are double decked and can hold about 8-10
hikers. There is normally a picnic table and a privy nearby. The shelters are also located near water.
I finally reached the top of Springer Mountain. The trip took me 7+ hours! Three other hikers were with me at the top. We
signed the hiker’s log then collapsed for 20 minutes. I noticed my head hurt. It didn’t take me long to realize
that because of the altitude, the clear sky and the fact that I didn’t have my hat on, I had severe sun burn on my bald
head. Nice move, Uncle Ron – and you being from Phoenix
where there is nothing but sun.
No camping is allowed on the mountain peak but there was a shelter located a short distance away. There, we checked
in with the trail master. This fellow, a hiking club volunteer, camps for 5 days on top of the mountain until another volunteer
replaces him. We headed towards the shelter. It took me an hour to get settled. After a short rest, I felt pretty good until
I discovered that I lost my wallet!
I knew exactly what happened. In all the effort in taking my pack off and putting it back on, over and over, my wallet
was dislodged from my back pocket. Now there’s probably no better place to lose your wallet than in the middle of a
giant forest unless it’s in New York City, or on a train,
bus, or subway you just departed. Imagine my feeling! I now had to backtrack trying to remember where I removed my pack and
search through the woods. I notified the trail master of my dilemma. He said he had to go the 1.5 miles back to the other
shelter the next morning to check on something. He would look for it then, but we both knew without saying so, that the chances
were extremely slim that he could find it. Meanwhile I had a fitful night’s sleep knowing that I had to backtrack the
entire 8.8 miles looking for a needle in a haystack.
Sleeping in an A.T. shelter is a marvelous experience. You lay down your sleeping pad, on the wood floor and then your
sleeping bag on top of that. You position your things so that they are not in anyone’s way. You bunch up your clothes
into a pillow and bed down for the night. For one reason or another, my sleeping bag was not large enough. Either I was too
cheap or inexperienced to purchase the correct size. My head stuck out too far and got cold in the cooler, 45 degree evenings.
I had to place a shirt or a towel over my head to stay warm. With the three hour time zone difference from Arizona and the unfamiliarity of the sleeping accommodations, I didn’t get to sleep
for a long time. Then the mice attacked!
A.T. shelters are infested with field mice. They live off food the hikers leave about. I was awakened with the patter
of little feet running across my head – an exhilarating experience, I can tell you. Another fellow had a mouse tangled
up in his hair! All I could think about the rest of the night was hantaviruses swarming above the mice feces. Here I am with
my nose at floor level as I lie on the shelter’s sleeping surface breathing dust and who knows what into my respiratory
system - the very same sleeping surface over which infected (?) mice have scampered.
The next morning, as I was preparing for the trek back down the trail with Roger, the trail master, he sundered over
and asked me if I was ready to go. I said I was and as I said so, he slid my wallet across the picnic table. I said “Roger,
I guess I have to kiss you now.” He was so happy that he could help me.
He said that a father and son were at the shelter and that they found my wallet resting against a log right where I had put
on my pack. They were delighted they could return it to me. Delighted? How did they think I felt?
There are Trail Angels on the A.T. These people leave things in shelters for others to use. Often the A.T. crosses
state highways or logging roads. Here the public often runs across A.T. hikers. They leave Cokes, beer, and other goodies
for the hikers. Roger was my Trail Angel. Without his effort, I would have either
wasted valuable time and effort searching for a lost wallet that I possibly could never find, or I would have had to continue
my hike without any ID. (I had money stuffed in my boot.) But, no ID? I would have been severely hindered. Try getting a rental
car or board an airplane without any.
It is traditional for A.T. hikers to have a trail name. This name is normally not of one’s choosing. It is either
earned because of your trail antics or awarded to you by your trail mates. Had I stayed on the trail longer, my trial name
would have probably had something to do with ‘100 yards’. Throughout my hike, I was so tired that I wouldn’t
leave the trail to see anything that was over 100 yards. If the Grand Canyon was more than
100 yards off the trail, I wouldn’t walk over to look at it. I also couldn’t walk 100 yards up hill without stopping
to rest and catch my breath. So, my trial name would probably have been something like 100 yard Dash, or 100 yard Crash, or
100 yard Kaboenix from Phoenix.
Hikers travel in small groups or singularly during the day and congregate during the night at the shelters. These are
located about a day’s hike from each other depending on the terrain – 7, 8, 11 miles, etc. At the first shelter,
I ran into an eclectic mix of young people. There was Colin and Tom from England.
They were walking the entire trail and had devoted 6 months of their lives to the effort. They had a web site and were collecting
donations for a cure-for-cancer charity - ‘Walk for the cure’. There was Josh from Michigan,
a 33 year old who quit his job on Florida’s west coast
as a private country club food and beverage manager. Then, a single, 28 year old woman from Boston who quit her social worker’s
job to walk the entire trail. Another young woman from upstate New York
recently graduated from college with a photographic degree of some sort. A young, recently divorced fellow who was trying
to quit smoking while on the trail joined us. He got sick and was staying at the shelter for another day until he could recover.
I don’t think he ever did. Then there was the part time, national park employee from Mount Rushmore
who had just completed his 2008-2009 employment contract and would return in the fall. The oldest of this group was less than
half my age. I was very impressed with ‘my’ group of fellow hikers. They were young, their ideas were fresh and
they were just starting out in life. Collectively, they appeared to be using the A.T. as a concentrating force in which to
focus each of their efforts or lives into a singleness of purpose. They were not running away from anything per se, but toward
something – they really didn’t know what. They all had neat, electronic equipment with them. One had a GPS locating
device so that his parents could note his location and progress on their computer. Another had a solar device in which to
charge her cell telephone. Two or three had special ultraviolet light, water sanitizing devices. The photographic girl had
a new 14 point something mega pixel point and shoot camera. I felt like I was at an electronic convention or something. All
hoped that the trail would filter or block out any distracting factors and allow them to concentrate on what they had to do
to move on in life. I also felt like that. Back home, everyone seemed to be pulling on me for attention – my renters,
my employees, my family - everybody. The trail gave me relief from that. The trail allowed me to concentrate on what was most
important.
My fellow hikers were not fully prepared for a hike of such proportions. All of them had significant blisters either
from ill fitted boots or inadequate training. Some didn’t know how to operate the bear cables (each night we hang our
packs in the trees so the bears cannot reach them. At each shelter the hiking clubs constructed sturdy wire hooks with pulleys
so that we could hoist our packs into the trees). Some packed the wrong amount
or type of food. Some loaded packs too heavy. The photographic girl carried 11 pounds of photographic gear, which she was
going to send home at the next post office. Some of them did have a plan. They shipped boxes of stuff to themselves (general
delivery) at the various post offices along the way. One person had a great idea – she called it her bounce box. She
shipped a box of provisions to herself at the first post office. She retrieved what she needed from it then mailed the box
to herself at the next post office.
Someone told me the average American walks about 1.5 miles a week. I don’t know if that’s true. Maybe the
average is 3 miles a week. Regardless, in two hours walking the A.T., I probably walked farther than the average American
walks in a week. I’ll tell you this. Walking all day really takes it out of you. I weighed 235 pounds when I started
and 220 pounds five days later! Although we had a privy near each shelter, in 5 days I only used one once! The only other
time that ever happened was when I was in R.O.T.C. summer camp between my junior and senior year in college (the equivalent
is Army basic training boot camp) where we were eating 3-4,000 calorie meals, three times a day, while performing strenuous
physical activity. Your body sucks up all the nutrients it can in these circumstances. There’s no waste on the A.T.,
- pun intended.
I continued trudging down the trail. The weather was perfect. On Friday, April 17th, I walked a respectable 7.8 miles.
I am making 1 to 1.5 miles per hour. This compares to a normal downtown, sidewalk pace of 2.5 to 3 miles per hour. The next
day, Saturday, April 18th is another fine day. I walked 7.3 miles. Sunday will be tough. I have to go at least 11 or 12 miles
to the next shelter and it is supposed to rain.
I start at 8 in the morning. With my pace, it will take me until 6, at least. As it gets closer to that time, it started
to rain - a little at first then more and more. I have a thin poncho for such conditions and I put it on. It doesn’t
do any good. No matter what you put on in such situations, you still get wet. You get wet either from the rain or from your
sweat. Then the wind started to blow. As I walk, I look more and more down at the trail. The wind’s blowing my poncho
around and I’m getting soaked. Then I see the bear.
It’s off to the right about 100 yards or so. It’s running about 25 miles an hour in the opposite direction
headed a little away from me. It’s very small and black. It looked like a large dog at first, and boy, could it run!
It is said that you can’t outrun a bear because at top speed they can run 35 miles an hour. I believe it. All you have
to do is out run the person next to you. But I’m not with anyone.
I finally arrive at a small camp ground. It’s raining and getting cold. I know the shelter is around here somewhere.
I trudge on. It’s obvious that I have missed the turnoff. I check my map and see that there are two shelters a short
distance up Blood Mountain.
I kick myself for missing the turn. I kept my head down too much – how stupid. Just when I was ready to pitch my tent
in the pouring rain in the middle of the woods, I stumble to the top of 4,461 foot tall Blood Mountain and walk right into the arms
of the two English guys – Tom and Colin. What a sight for sore eyes! They are in an old, stone shelter which was built
in the 1930’s.
I had originally planned to walk three weeks and 80 some miles until I reached South
Carolina. I walked 13.2 miles that Sunday – mostly uphill – in the rain. I decided then
that I had enough.
The wind howled and the rain poured that night. We slept fitfully, but at least I was safe and dry. I learned the next
day that ‘my’ trail mates back at the other shelter were worried about me and had thought of sending out a search
party.
On Monday, it was 2.4 miles downhill to Neels Gap where U.S.
19/129 crosses the mountain and the A.T. A general store and hiker’s hostel are located there. I stayed the night in
relative comfort. I washed off 4 days of grime and felt like a new (old) man.
Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’. I choose living. I hiked 4 1/2 days
for a total of 39.5 miles. I hiked up, around, over and down mountains. I ascended from 1,700 feet to 4,461 Blood Mountain and back again. I met some wonderful,
young people and I lived one of my fantasies. I was extremely tired yet exhilarated. But I can tell ya - I won’t be
doing anything like that again soon.
A clerk was heading back to Gainesville early the next
morning to pick up a new worker at the train station. He offered me a lift and I gratefully accepted (another trail angel). I only waited an hour for the bus to Richmond
and arrived around midnight – too late for my daughter to pick me up. I took a taxi to a nearby Marriott Courtland motel.
Ah, what bliss – good water, clean sheets, a TV and everything a hiker could desire.
As I limped to breakfast at 6:30 the next morning, I heard a beeping sound coming from the motel exercise room. As
I passed the door, I saw young people, mostly women, running on treadmills. With wry smile and a slight shake of my head,
I continued down the hallway to enjoy my breakfast and to meet my daughter. I couldn’t wait to spend time with my two
wonderful grand children.
Ron Cheatham.
See Ron’s photo from the Appalachian Trail at Classmate Photos.
Wilsie is Working Part-Time.
Wilsie Hale tells me that she has taken a part-time job at Huntington Internal Medicine Group in Registration. See Wilsie’s photo (From 1984) at Classmate Photos.
Pat Helps Arvin Celebrate.
Pat Warne Vaughan threw a surprise 70th birthday party for her husband Arvin recently. See Classmate Photos for their photo taken at the big event.
Molly Retires.
Molly Moos Ray has retired as Adult Education Supervisor at the Huntington City Mission. Much of her work focused on homeless families and adults who need help with their studies. Previously, she worked at the Marshall University Help Program where she tutored students who had learning
disabilities. Congratulations to Molly in her retirement.
Tom and Bob Meet
at the Elks.
Tom Cooper tells me that he regularly meets Bob Sliger at the Huntington Elks Club for lunch. Sounds like great fun.
Danny and Vivian Miller
Danny Miller wrote recently to provide an up-date on his family. Danny currently lives in Fanning Springs, Florida, near Gainesville.
He has four daughters. Three live in Florida and his fourth daughter lives in Ona, WV. She has two children
who are attending Marshall. Danny has other connections
to the Huntington area. His sister Michele (HEHS '62)
lives in Huntington and works at Cabell
Huntington Medical Center.
His sister Joan was married to Ron Cyrus (Billy Ray's dad). Ron is now deceased. Danny has several cousins that
you will know - Glen Grove (HHS '60), Danny Egnor, Larry Egnor, and Virginia Egnor (Dagmar).
In 2002, Danny met his wife Vivian, and they were married on Danny's birthday in May 2004. Their wedding was
in Bartlesville, OK with
all of Vivian's family present. Vivian works for the Broward County Sheriff's Office (28 years). See the photo
attached of Danny and Vivian on a visit to Fort Wilderness Resort at Disney World. Thanks,
Danny for the family up-date. See Danny and Vivian’s photo at Classmate
Photos.
Vickie Shaffer Retires
from Tri-State Transit Authority
Vickie Shaffer, CEO of the Tri-State Transit Authority and wife of Ed Shaffer, is
retiring after 29 years at TTA. A photo at Classmate Photos shows Vickie in front of a trolley bus at Pullman Square in Huntington.
She was instrumental in the creation and development of Pullman Square. The full article from the Herald-Dispatch Online can be seen at http://www.herald-
dispatch. com/opinions/ x90205952/ Shaffer-leaves- her-mark- at-Pullman- Square.
Vickie and Ed have moved full-time to their mountain home near Snowshoe
Mountain, WV. Ed is working part time in construction management
there. Vickie will take a much deserved rest for a while. Congratulations
to Vickie for her retirement and service to Huntington, also
to them both for their move to the mountains.
John Tweel Jr on America's Most Wanted.
John Tweel's son had a leading part on America's
Most Wanted in May. John explains, “My son, John Jr, is the principal actor
in an America's Most Wanted show tonight
(May, 30). Although he has been a Patent Examiner in the Electronics field and
an employee of the US Patent and Trademark Office for about 10 years, his passion has always been acting and he's almost always
in a stage production here in the DC area.” John
Bill and Francine
Blain Gemmill Family.
See Classmate Photos for Bill and Francine Blain Gemmill’s Family. Francine says that, “It was taken in the fall of 2005. We were taking a tour of Virginia vineyards.” Francine
Update from Donald
Simpkins.
Donald Simpkins has recently written after having several health problems and also moving to Kenova, WV. Donald went to HHS
in the 10th grade then, he says, "We moved to Man, West Virginia,
where Mom and Dad were both teaching that year. In my senior year, we moved to Wayne,
where I finished my High School education. In 1960, I went into the Air Force. I had been dating a girl from Wayne, and in 1962 were married at Wayne.
Karen and I have two children that both live in this area."
"As for my health, it
is not good. I had a heart attack before I retired from Calgon Carbon in 1993. I also had four bypasses at that
time. In 1995 the doctors decided I needed a three wire defibrillator. As time went by, I started having trouble
breathing, and in 2003 they put me on Oxygen, but not all the time. Finally, in 2004, they said I needed it all the
time. I did not question this. I need the extra air. In February of 2008, Doctor Van Daren said
I needed to have the defibrillator replaced. He replaced it on February 14, 2008 and then went out of town. I
had trouble with the procedure, it would not stop bleeding. I had to get a new doctor to fix the problem. When he had
me in the Hospital for that they found out I was anemic. My bone morrow was not producing red blood cells. In
2008, they gave me 37 units of blood, to keep me going. Now, they think they have got a grip on the problem."
"We moved to Roxanna
Booth Manor, in Kenova, in November of 2007. I was just not able to care for my property. I worked at
Calgon for 38 years. I have been married to the same woman for 47 years. She takes great care of me. She
is the best thing that ever happened to me." Don
Thanks to Donald for
bringing us up to date. Best wishes for continued improvement in his health. See Donald’s photo
at Classmate Photos.
Tom and Mary
Ellen’s Photo. See Classmate Photos for Tom and
Mary Ellen Wharton Camden’s photo from their honeymoon in Bermuda in April,
2006.
Up-Date from Patty
Bentley Chambers
I received an up-date from Patty Bentley Chambers recently.
Patty writes, "After my daughter, Marjorie died I came out of retirement and took churches in Volga, WV. (Then) Returned to Moundsville, my husband's
hometown and retired again. I took another small United Methodist country church and we have had a great time baptizing
and growing this church."
"I am ready to go out the door to drive to Columbus, Ohio
and fly to Idaho Falls, Idaho
where my son, Bill lives. He is a band director and is planning his concerts around our visit. He also has a string
orchestra. I am learning slowing about computers, thanks to the Methodist church.
It is the only way they communicate with the ministers. Life is a real Hoot! If I stay away from mirrors I think
I am about 22. HA! Peace and Joy and Love,” Patty
Bentley Chambers.
Thanks, Patty for your up-date.
Lindal Moves
to Chesapeake
Lindal Coyle has moved to Chesapeake, Ohio
to be near his children who also have returned from Florida. Welcome home Lindal.
Michael Lerner and
his Grandkids
Please see Classmate Photos for photos of Michael Lerner and his grandkids Simon and Isaac. Thanks Michael.
What Are Friends for?
A Longer Life.
Linda Frankel sent us a NY Times article with this title and drew parallels to her life and the importance
of friends and family. Thanks for your thoughts of your friends from Huntington
Linda.
Linda Makes a Move.
Linda Jenkins Fillingim, and her husband Robert, have moved to Pensacola,
Florida. Actually, it happened in
2007 but I am just catching up with her. See Linda’s photo on Classmate
Photos.
Julia (Keyser) and
Terry Sanders Up-date
Julia Keyser Sanders and her husband Terry have moved to Glenwood,
WV and bought a 35 acre farm. Julia writes, "We have about 40 Llamas, several
Alpine Goats, and a flock of Cochin Chickens. The Chickens are my babies and my oldest daughter, Anne, raises
llamas to sell along with the fiber. She also spins the fiber into yarn and is quite the accomplished knitter.
We have been doing the WV State Fair Llama show for some years now. Anne is the superintendent of this event every August.
She also is in charge of the regionals, which includes New York, Penn.,
Virginia, DC, and some of the eastern states like Del. We
are quite the busy bunch around here. The name of our farm is Head and Heart Fiber and Llama Farm."
Julia also has provided a further update regarding her family. "My youngest daughter is still in NC. They
have moved to Monroe Co. and are still working for the school system. Their oldest daughter, Alicia Swann, has become
an elementary teacher. Scott is the athletic director and football coach at Sun Valley
and Sherri works at the board for their Physiologist." Julia.
Many thanks to Julia for her up-date.
More Photos.
Please see Classmate Photos for photos of classmates Jim Wilmer, Carolyn Christian Finegar, Sandy York Salyers,
Mary Nancarrow Wireman, and Jim Gilmour. These photos
were “stolen” from their Facebook pages, with permission.
Maggie and Mingo's
Hawaiian Shaved Ice.
Joe McVay writes, “I have ventured into another business with my life long friend Charles "Boots"
Elam (HHS'61). We are opening a location at the Mayfare in Wilmington,
NC this coming Friday (June 19th). Boots
ask me to be the CEO as long as he gets to count the money first. It will be
called Maggie and Mingo Hawaiian Shaved Ice.” Your friend, going broke
Joe.
The best of luck to Joe and Boots on their new venture.
Historic 9th Street West
Please see the following article and photo from the Herald-Dispatch. It describes the homes on 9th Street West across from the Second Presbyterian Church (my church). The house
shown in the photo was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Mosser who we all knew well.
http://www.herald- dispatch. com/life/
x1875257950/ Home-surrounding -area-full- of-Victorian- influence
Walking Tour of Central
City
Please see the following article in today's (June 14th) Herald-Dispatch. You will remember many of the homes,
businesses, churches, and other buildings mentioned in the article. This was my old stomping grounds along with many
others.
http://www.herald- dispatch. com/life/
x374952093/ Get-a-taste- of-Huntington- history-with- walking-tour
Be sure to check out the photo gallery at this web site.
http://www.herald- dispatch. com/multimedia/
galleries/ news/x1582918882 /Gallery- West-End- Walking-Tour
Forest Fire in
Myrtle Beach, SC.
Many of you saw the news about the large forest fire near Myrtle Beach
in April. Joe McVay wrote the following, “I'm fine. Thanks for your concern. The fire was
always one mile inland on the other side of the Intercoastal Waterway and I live on the beach side of the Waterway. It has always been just north of me with the wind blowing north so I haven't even
had any smoke...very lucky. There are many other people who have been evacuated
and have lost their homes (70). What makes the reporting confusing is that the
fire as gone in a circle and it is going back towards the area where it started. It
is 40% contained and hopefully they can get control in the next day or two. I
don't want to sound uncaring but no one has been hurt and nothing in Myrtle Beach
has ever been in danger of the fire. I tell you that because we are hoping that
our tourist will not stop coming because of bad reporting. We are like everyone
- we need the business. Thanks again for your concern.” Joe
Fire Update with
Pictures.
Joe McVay provided this update on the Myrtle Beach
fire in late April. “These are some very dramatic and sad pictures showing
the devastation, and brave firefighters. The heat gets as high as 1400 degrees
and some homes just explode. I'm one of the lucky ones. Unless the wind would take a dramatic change and come off shore (from the west) and then jump the waterway,
Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach are OK.” Joe. See photos at this web site. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/galleries/gallery/681152.html
Favorite Web
Sites.
Several of you have sent special web sites for our enjoyment over the period.
Joe McVay
– French Documentary, African Animals, Fruit. Jungle_alcolo.wmv
Joe McVay
– Britains Got Talent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY-BY4YNs0o&NR=1
Joe McVay
– Great Talent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bt9xBuGWgw
Anita Herbert
Oller – The Voca People. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bt9xBuGWgw
Anita Herbert
Oller - Celine Dion and Elvis Presley. http://thehumorzone.co.uk/Videos/elvis_celine.wmv
Joe McVay
– Stewarts Hot Dogs. http://www.stewartshotdogs.com/
Anita Herbert
Oller – Cowboy Movie Stars.
http://objflicks. com/thoseoldwesterns.htm
Joe McVay
– International Space Station. http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/iss_timeline/
flash.htm
Joe McVay
– Centraal Station Antwerpengaatuitzijndak! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UE3CNu_rtY&feature=player_embedded
Joe McVay
- Susan Boyle, Singer, Britains Got Talent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
