Message Forum Common Agreement
"TERMS OF USE"

The Message Forum is not a public soapbox, nor a political platform in any form. This forum is neutral territory when it comes to supporting any movements, political parties, candidates, or otherwise.

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Dear Classmates:
This site isn’t about waistlines, hairlines, or personal crusades. It’s about lifelines and is about reconnecting with our friends from some of the best years of our lives - It's about caring for our classmates, sharing news, and mourning those we've lost.

We ask you to kindly be considerate about passing along news about classmates who are ill, who have had surgery, or are experiencing other personal issues. Please be sure to obtain permission to share with the class any and all submissions.  As wonderful as it is to share or receive news about or from classmates don't break confidences or invade someone's privacy. 

Classmates, If you have an issue that needs a soapbox please use your "Classmate Profile" page.  Classmates can choose to "follow" by selecting your name and each time you post news about yourself, add photos, or update your profile  an email is sent notifying those on your follow list that you have updated your personal profile. Do not check the box, share with classmates as a reply button is provided for return comments and messages.

PLEASE NOTE: Abuse of the message forum common agreement/terms of use may cause immediate suspension of privileges or removal from the AHS website without further warning. 
(We reserve the right to remove material that may be deemed offensive).
Paul Peters -
revised 09/12/2021

Maryalice Conmy (Dorries)

Love the pictures and love you both so much!! So happy for you!

Nancy Badin (Helmke)

So happy for you both to have found love again. Here is to many more wonderful years.

I am looking forward to my 50th wedding anniversary and am so happy to be with my husband Dave for all these years.

David Anderson

60 Years Ago, Fire Rocks Braddock Elementary, Beatles Rock Sullivan for the Third Time

It was a big day 60 years ago for many of us Fifth Graders.  Here is what happened at our School.

On Sunday, February 23, 1964, a devastating fire tore through Braddock Elementary School. Nearly all of the 20 classrooms suffered damage by flames, smoke, or water. Braddock Elementary School’s 570 students finished out the school year at Thomas Jefferson High School. These students were the first pupils to attend classes in the high school because it was still under construction and was not scheduled to open until the following September. The damage to Braddock Elementary School was estimated at more than $200,000. The County Fire Marshall reported that the fire began in the main office, but the exact cause could not be determined because the intensity of the flames destroyed all traces of evidence. Reconstruction of our school commenced rapidly, and the School Board approved plans for a ten-room addition to our building at a cost of $138,440. In March 1964, Braddock Elementary School’s PTA sponsored a book fair at Annandale High School to raise money for the restoration of our school library. Construction was completed on schedule and Braddock Elementary School was ready for opening day in September 1964.

As I remember, we only missed two days of school.  Bummer.  At least we can say we attended TJ!  I'm guessing about 80 of us 71 AHS grads went through that. 

The Beatles played on Ed Sullivan that night for the third week in a row (that night's performance had actually been previously taped).  What a great day!  In case you're wondering, only three songs that night.  Twist and Shout, Please, Please Me and I Want to Hold Your Hand (again).  

Clinton McKinney

    Nice post Dave. I remember the fire at Braddock Elementry. You, me and many others were in Mrs. Rhodes 5th grade class. I can remember feeling so cool being in 5th grade and yet we were in high school! (lol) While we were in TJHS, one of the students in our class was expelled for using foul language toward Mrs. Rhodes. His name was Steve Wizallowski (unsure of spelling). I never heard anything about him after that. Many times I've wondered if anyone else ever remembered that incident.

James Cox

Mr. Anderson,

Read your latest post and you seen to post memories along with remembering The Beatles. I do the same, but for all Top 40 songs from that era. So let me ask you a question about The Beatles first appearance on the Sullivan show two weeks prior. With your knowledge of music history, you are the only person I can think of that may be able to answer this one.

Besides The Beatles that night, there were two othe male singers on the program that both went on to become world famous for thier singing. Both were in groups. One in Pop Music and the other more in the Jazz genre. Can you name them??

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David Anderson

That's a good question.

I think a young Davey Jones, who later was a member of the Monkees, sang that night.  I think it may have been a Broadway production he was in.

At one time I was aware of another singer who appeared that night, although less familiar to me.  But I can't remember who it was, help me out?

Constance Menefee

Thanks for the memories, Dave! My mother always blamed (in jest, of course) the Braddock School fire on my volcano science project with the vinegar, red food coloring and baking soda lava. I, too, felt like a precocious big shot going to "high school" at TJ, though it was somewhat tempered by the fact that Admin wouldn't let us pipsqueaks use the hall lockers. Fond memories of you guys, nevertheless!

Sam Juliano

Great post, David... I missed the fire, attending Braddock Elementary starting in 6th grade (Mrs. Cobb's class).  Over the years, I've tried to identify the kids in our class, but many are missing - so anyone who can name names, please do!  My apologies to anyone I "should have" remembered!
(updated 2/26/24 - thanks Fred and David!)

[I deleted some stuff from my original post here.  In the words of the late, great Emily Litella, "never mind."  I was on the wrong show!]

Thanks everyone for the kind words about Pam Power's (now Pam Juliano) and my recent nuptials... we're well into 4 months married and I couldn't be happier!

James Cox

Dave,

The Pop Star was indeed David Jones. Prior to coming to the United States he was a horse Jockey. However, when he got to tall for that he went into acting. He originally appeared in the British production of the musical Oliver, based on Charles Dicken's Oliver Twist, as The Artful Dodger. As seen in the Marquee that evening, The Beatles were the headliners, followed by Georgia Brown, a singer and Actress who also stared in the british production of Oliver as Nancy. Ed was famous for bringing artists that were performing on Broadway onto his show. So when David came to appear on Broadway, back in Britain they needed another young kid to play the Dodger. They ended up choseing some kid named Phil Collins!

The other male singer was also in Oliver on Broadway. He started on Broadway when he was 12 years old. He continued after college and was an original star in the musical Grease. His name is Alan Paul. He left Grease to co-found the group The Manhattan Transfer. He has 8 Grammy Awards as a Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer and Vocal Arranger.

You did very well, so let me ask you another easy musical trivia question. Why are the Nelson family, from Ozzie and Harriet, in the Guinness Book of Records

Fred Chandler

Sam,

 In your picture. I think  2nd row , 3rd from right is Mike Brown. Also beside Doug Coglin is Kristie Mathias. 

I could be wrong. Just a guess.

I don't think any of use missed the Ed sullivan show those 3 weeks!

David Anderson

Jim

Thanks for the information on the other male singer on Ed Sullivan that night.  I wouldn't have remembered that one nor the answer about Ozzie and Harriett.  My "musical knowledge" is pretty limited to just rock and roll bands between 1964 and 1976.  I always thought I was really good remembering band names for songs back in the day, but I met my match at the reunion.  I pulled out all the stops with my best hard to remember groups and songs with Mike Gassmann and not only did he get 100% of them, he also politely corrected me on two that I had wrong.  

Sam and Fred

I also think that's Mike Brown next to Jerri.

Back to the the fire at Braddock, I do remember our books and many other things had a powerful smell of smoke when we started classes back up at TJHS.  And the cafeteria, as I remember, was still under construction, so we had to bring our lunch maybe every day.

James Cox

Dave,

I'm sorry, I thought you were even into the earlier stuff.

Anyway, the Nelson family is the only one ever to have Number 1 songs from three successive generations. Ozzie Nelson started it back in 1935, with his Big Bands hit, And Then Some. Harriet Hillard was the band's singer. The song was, And Then Some. And then son Ricky had two Number 1 hits with, Poor Little Fool in 1958, and Travel'in Man in 1961. Then in 1990, Ricky's twin sons had a number 1 hit with (Can't Live Without) Your Love and Affection, from their multi-platinum selling album, After The Rain.

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Cynthia George (Coppola)

Congratulations to Sam and Pam! A fabulous wedding in the Texas Hill Country! Very special. Pam- hope Sam takes you to Enchanted Rock- more Hill Country vistas 

Have fun w the eclipse. My nephew is driving from Fairfax for the event in Austin.  Looking forward to it in San Antonio. 
 

Cindy George Coppola 
 

Jane Rottier (Porter)

I just signed into the website and really enjoyed the latetst posts, especially the one about Pam and Sam's wedding! What a great venue and Pam looked absolutely beautiful. Congratulations to you both and I love your romantic story! 

Also, I want to mention that Greg and I had such a great time at our 70th birthday reunion at the Shenandoah Crossing Resort that we begged the organizers to have it again, and at the same venue. The resort gave us a big room to congregate in for the three days, with gorgeous scenery outside the big windows. There were trails to walk, horseback riding, boating and a large swimming pool. But the best part was the company.

There were no cliques, everybody was super friendly and we got caught up on everyone else's lives. We were so entertained to hear about the lives of classmates who we really didn't know, as well as those who we hadn't seen for awhile.  

When the dancing started, Maureen and a group of us ladies went out to the stage. I'm pretty shy but when Maureen laughed her head off at my dancing, I was encouraged to dance even more like an idiot, and had a blast !!!

We would love to see the same people come out to this reunion, including all those who didn't make it last time. Celebrate 71 !  

Jane

Kristi Mathias

Hi-I don't know how names were put on the photo of Braddock Elementary 6th grade class-but I didn't go to that school- that photo isn't me. I've only seen one other person on the internet with my name- somebody who lives in the Midwest. Not that important-but just wondering how the name was put on the photo. Kristi Mathias who went to North Springfield Elementary...I think it was Mrs. Ward's 6th grade class. Cheers!

Fred Chandler

I am sorry to inform you that another classmate has passed away. 

Lorna Meyers Passed on July 17, 2024. She grew up on Byrneley Lane. Down the street from Greg Porter and behind Christie Allison. 

Dawn Lunsfors, Mike Lundsford's sister. sang at the funera. She and Lorna were best friend's for 60 years!

Gregory Porter

Jane and I want to thank Maureen Hamilton, Paul Rowson, Mike Gassman and all the others for their hard work in putting together the reunion last week. We had a great time, and we are looking forward to next year's gathering.

Joe Mattingly

Can You find your Photo 

Karen Kohut (Logeman)

I'm the top left corner.  
(wow, what a hairstyle!!)

Karen Kohut (Logeman)

Every one of these kids are so familiar to me!  I recognize most everyone! 
Thanks for the memories!
Barbi Nagle is 6 over, 1 down.  
I believe top right hand corner is Gloria (Jeannie) Herrington, who lived right across the street from me, and was one of my best friends.

David Anderson

Wow.  What a great class.  I recognize many of the faces.  I'm first in second row.

Fred Chandler

Becky Cadigan pasted away a few days ago. Danny Cadigan"s wife. Her son posted this on FB.

Rebecca Jean Cadigan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, at the age of 71. She was born on January 7, 1954, in Washington DC, and spent her life surrounded by the love of her family and ever-expanding circle of friends.

It’s rare to find someone with such a welcoming, hospitable, and caring outlook on life. Rebecca, or Becky as she was known to her many friends and family, was a life-long Virginian who flourished in her career as a realtor, marked by countless success and a never-ending stream of grateful clients and colleagues. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched.

Becky is survived by her dedicated husband, Danny Cadigan; her son Daniel and his wife Nicole; her grandchildren Brooke and Wesley; and her two dogs Lucky and DeeDee.

We will be having a service for her memorial on March 8th 11:00am at Prince of Peace Church in Springfield. There will be a gathering to follow the service. In leu of flowers please donate to your local humane society.

Paul Rowson

We will be having a celebration of life for Ron Reynolds on Saturday, June 14th at at his home at 41 Big Oak Drive, Linden, VA. Parking is limited so we suggest parking at the commuter lot 2664 Dismal Hollow Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630. Call Mike Lunsford at 703-408-2324 and we will shuttle you up to the house. Please let us know if you can attend and please bring a covered dish to pass if possible. Please also bring any pictures and memories to share with others. Kindly RSVP to Mike if you're able to attend by texting him at 703-408-2324.

Gregory Porter

As a follow-up to Paul Rowson's message, the celebration of life for Ron Reynolds will begin at 2:00 pm. 

Gregory Porter

For those of you who can come to the celebration of life for Ron Reynolds, a word about the location. Due to limited parking at the house, consider using the commuter lot that Paul Rowson mentioned. To reach the lot, take I-66 west to Linden. At Exit 13, turn left(south) and proceed to Route 55. Turn right (west) and Dismal Hollow Road (that name sure wasn't chosen by a real estate agent) is off to the right just beyond the Apple House. I will be one of the people providing the shuttle service. I will be in my dark blue Ford Explorer,and my cell number is 540-481-2919.