School Story:
Wow! There are so many great memories of growing up in Blacksburg. From the earliest days of going to the big old elementary school downtown to finishing at the high school....The Class of '69 was the best and most unique in so many ways because of all of us!! We made friends from infancy that have lasted a lifetime, whether we actually see each other or not...we are bound together in special ways. What did the Senior yearbook say? A rare and unique breed? I have really enjoyed reading everyone's bios. Montreo has been heading up events since I can remember-always gracious and caring. We used to play when we were little along with Brenda and Betty Horne. I remember walking to school everyday-no matter what the temperature-with Kay, Vickey Godsey and Paige...later, of course, we got those licenses which made mobility so much better! I remember Mrs. Nicholson in grade school and our trip to Duke and the gardens there. I have pictures somewhere of Joe and Terry and others from that trip. Mrs. Cole was an awesome English teacher. She inspired me to teach. Wish I were half the teacher she was...And how about Mrs. McLaughlin? We had so many great teachers. I remember the French teacher who reputedly only had 6 weeks of French in college. Oui! I remember a poor student teacher that we had in Mrs. Cole's class one semester...I believe her parting words, as she fled our class, were that she "would never teach again" .. I remember the football and basketball games, and the emotions that they inspired. I remember the winter that we missed six weeks of school, and had to go most of June and every Saturday for several months in order to make up the time. I still have nightmares from time to time about trying to get my locker combination open-I can identify with my students that have problems in those areas. I remember going to the movies with Kay and seeing Doug McLaren and his dog sitting on the front row. How about the parties that Terry and his band played for? How about Jennifer Malpass's long fingernails? I loved playing on the volleyball and basketball teams even though I was surrounded by such super athletes. When we ran the 500 at Margaret Beeks, I tried to keep up with Louise Moss and her long legs. I was seeing stars by the end of that run! How about Jan Pearson going across the stage at graduation with shorts and sandals beneath his robe? There are so many memories and friends, it is hard to even begin to do any of them true justice. And no matter what the CURRENT mascot is, we will always be the INDIANS!!!!
Since retiring in July 2016, I have been traveling to Blacksburg to spend time with my folks who are now 90 and 92 , and still doing pretty well! I sub when I can. I feel so fortunate to be able to do both of these things. The secret to a happy retirement is not retiring ! Hohoho While in Virginia, I have run in to some old classmates and that has been really cheerful ! Facebook has also provided a way to keep in touch with friends over the years. My daughter and her husband live just a few miles away, and we do a lot of things together when I am in NC. I feel a have the best of two worlds. Still haven’t opened my B&B or written a book but I am compiling recipes for my mom to make a recipe book filled with memories of her lifetime as well. Love oral history ! Looking ahead - hope to visit NYC in late 2018 with Amy, and hopefully fly across the pond to the UK in 2019 with a group of friends and relatives . One never knows what tomorrow will
bring but it certainly is fun daydreaming! I’m a member of a Bible Study group, and attend New Covenant Church in NC. I am so thankful for both of these groups and I know how very important God is in my life. Looking forward to seeing you all at the 50th!
