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02/25/06 - NNHS Newsletter
I’m Not Okay (I Promise)

“My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion.
He said okay, you're ugly too.”

- Rodney Dangerfield
(22 Nov 1921 - 5 Oct 2004)

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,   

   Today's theme comes to us indirectly from my 18-year old daughter,    Adrienne, who (being a member of the My Chemical Romance fan club called the MCRmy Street Team) sees to it that their music and videos float through my ears and mind on a regular basis.  This one is so stuck in my head now that I thought I might as well share it. 

   Thanks, Adrienne! 

   This, by the way, is just a short little Newsletter.  I still haven't done most of the Major Backlogs, i.e., many goodies still to come from    Joe Madagan ('57) of FL (two or three items, actually!)   Cathy Slusser Hudson ('64) of VA,     Cookie Phillips Tyndall ('64) of VA,    Renee Helterbran Benton ('59) of VA,    Jennie Sheppard ('62) of NC,    Fred Field ('45) of CA,  Fred Eubank ('64) of TX, plus a new one from   Jerry Blanchard ('62) of VA .  I'm saving the Big Surprise from  Steve Silsby (Ferguson HS - '72) of NC for the hopelessly neglected TYPHOONMART until Monday.  Maybe by then I'll quit tearing up every time I look at it.

   NAAAAAH!!!  Probably not! (Thanks so much, Stevie!) 

 


BIRTHDAYS:

   A very Happy Birthday today to Peggy Wellington Craft ('57)Hope you've had a wonderful day, Peggy!  

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Happy-Birthday.html


  From Tim Rogers (Hampton HS - '66) of VA - 02/23/06 - "Thanks, Dicky":

Hi Carol, Tim Rogers here!

This is for 
  Dicky Dawes (NNHS/HHS - '62 - of VA):

Dicky, thank you for bringing me up to date on the old H.R. gang. I will give you and the other members of this site a Readers Digest version of my last 30 years.

Age 37 when my kids became teenagers I realized I had no business being a parent!

Age 50 I was still looking for dragons to slay and Sleeping Beauties to awaken.

Age 55 I would slay a dragon if it came my way but I no longer went looking for them and I discovered Sleeping Beauty snored.

Age 57 it dawned on me that most of the dragons were work related so I quit working and Sleeping Beauty was far more beautiful when left sleeping!

Today at age 59 I have known a lot of GOOD people. I have seen and done what others have only dreamed of. I have my wife of 40 years who took a lot more off me while I was growing up than she should have, 2 fine sons in whom I am well pleased, 6 grandkids who make my heart go thump, and a hand full of great friends who are smarter, wittier and wealthier than I and why they would have anything to do with me I do not know!!!!!

I AM TRULY A BLESSED MAN


 
 How delightful!  Thanks for sharing this with us all, Tim! 
 


  From Jean Poole Burton ('64) of RI - 02/23/06 - "I will come to the '66 reunion...":

If you and    Eleanor (Buckley Nowitzky - '59 - of NC) will be my room mates!  I would love to see    Cheryl Mays (Howard - '66 - of VA) and some of the other "kids" that were close to our age.
 
 
     I told my sister what you said, and she said something to the effect of "FABULOUS!!!  Count me in!"  
   Okay, now I'm getting excited again!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion-class-of-1966.html

   Thanks, Lady!  What fun we're going to have!    Uh-oh!  I hope they don't kick us out of the motel for near terminal giggling! 

 


   From Jerry Blanchard ('62) of VA - 02/23/06 - "HOME! 1930":

For sale on e-bay, under NNHS - $19.00...

Jerry
 

 
     SHO' 'NUFF!!!

   I just checked on e-Bay to make sure it's still available, and it is.  It's offered on a Buy It Now basis for $19.00 plus 2.50 S&H, and will be there for five more days until one of you snaps it up.

   If you're not the winning bidder, you can find a reasonable facsimile on our site to print out for your enjoyment, courtesy of    Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/nnhs.html (Thanks again, David!)

 
1930 - Newport News High School    
     

   Thanks so much, Jerry! 
 


  From Evelyn Casey Snead ('57) of VA - 02/23/06 - "down memory lane":

Carol,

Boy, did I enjoy   Steve Silsby's (Ferguson HS - '72 - of NC) account of 1962. I was married and had my first daughter by 1962 but 1952 would have been almost identical happenings. I am just so sorry today's generation can not experience the wonderful times growing up we did. I plan to show my grandchildren Steve's down memory lane. I think they will enjoy the history as much as I did.
 

Someone asked me if I remembered the words to old "fight" songs for NNHS and I am ashamed to say I do not.  I bet we could get plenty of help on your site. It was an idea to be used for our 1957 "50th" reunion coming up next year.

   I think that's certainly possible, Evelyn.  I believe there may be some on the Odds and Ends link, and we certainly have enough cheerleaders in our midst to fill in the blanks.

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/oddsends.html

   Ja - here we go, courtesy of Susan Whitcomb Harlin ('72) of TX - 05/14/03 (Thanks again, Susan!):

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/oddsends_files/cheers.jpg (I hope that enlarges well enough to read....)

   Ladies? 
 

Let me also say......thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing us Typhoons such joy!!!!!!!
 
Evelyn Casey Snead, 1957

   WOWZERS!!!  Thank you, Evelyn! 

 


  From Cheryl Mays Howard ('66) of VA - 02/23/06 - FYI:

This article with a picture was in the Daily Press today...
 
Peace & Blessing,
Cheryl Mays Howard

 

 
 

A caregiver who gave all gets something back
 

  Marty (Whitmore) McCoy ('67) gave up everything to care for her ailing parents for years. Now, she has been honored with a special award.

BY KYM KLASS

February 23, 2006

Marty McCoy touches a gold heart pendant hanging from her neck. She wrings her hands together when talking, moves them to the top of a table, to her lap and then back to the table.

Sometimes it's just hard to talk about things. About her parents' deteriorating health. About caring for them for five years straight. It's often difficult to talk about sacrifices she's made. Her family. Her job. Her life.
And it's most difficult to receive recognition for doing things, as she explains, when it's done "for the need."
McCoy recently was one of several Virginians who received The Caregiver Award through the Virginia Department of Social Services. The award is designed to reward the efforts of Virginians - many of them women - increasingly called to care for family and friends in addition to other work and family responsibilities.
"The good Lord gets you through," McCoy said. "He only puts on you what you can handle."

And McCoy has learned just how much she can handle.

In 1998, McCoy's mom, Carrie Lee Whitmore, began showing signs of Alzheimer's. McCoy describes the process as gradual. Whitmore never acknowledged anything; she just went on with her everyday life.
"The doctor said there were great ways she was covering it up," McCoy said.

She often found herself at her parents' house, helping her mom, who also had diabetes, and her dad, who had heart problems, get up in the mornings and take baths at night. But the full-time care began in 2001 after Whitmore fell and broke her hip in December 2000. She never walked again.

"She and my dad were very independent," McCoy said. "It's hard for someone to give up their independence."
But they did, to their daughter. Doctors told McCoy she was their "eyes and ears."

"Your whole life ... one day you're working full time, and then working full time and doing the other," she said. "It takes away your own personal life. Everything else just kind of goes. For more than five years. And you think, this is an everyday thing."

It was, and it included cooking, bathing, hospital visits. All the while, McCoy held a job as office manager at the Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center at Christopher Newport University. Every day, she drove to her parents' Newport News house, giving her mother insulin, bathing her and feeding her breakfast. She would return at lunch and again at 4 p.m. She cooked all their dinners. She paid bills. Cleaned the house.
McCoy set up a schedule to give structure and predictability to her mother's days. Meals at set times, using the same cup. Watching Wheel of Fortune every day.

Her dad, David Whitmore, did what he could, but his heart condition limited his activity.

"It was very scary at first," McCoy said. "Especially when my mom came home from the hospital; they had to train someone to do what they were doing. I learned about wound care; I was very scared, very nervous.
"Giving her a bath, and doing all sorts of private stuff you never thought you'd have to do. ... I tried to make light of it and kid Mama.

"She wouldn't talk, but she'd smile and nod. She's a very modest person. But I learned a lot. For me, now, it's a great experience.

"At first it was hard, but now I miss it."

Caring for her parents meant McCoy might have to leave work at a moment's notice, especially when nurses' aides didn't arrive on time and her parents needed someone there.

"She has an inner strength, faith and fortitude that one only reads about," said McCoy's friend and co-worker, Kitty Heffington, center development manager at VECTEC. "I am sure her parents felt her unconditional love and enduring spirit, and even when they couldn't verbalize it, I'm sure they know she was there for them."

McCoy's mother died in March, after 60 years of marriage to David Whitmore. By the end of April, his health had worsened as well.

"But he would always bounce back, he would always come through no matter what the doctors said," McCoy said. "He was full of life. He was always making sure everyone in the room was OK."

But he grew weaker, and began to need constant care. Whitmore had poor circulation in his legs, and McCoy wrapped those for years. But when he suffered a severe heart attack, McCoy was left with no choice but to place him in a nursing home. She was with him daily, and continued cooking his favorite meals as well as caring for his personal affairs.

David Whitmore died in early October.

"She gave up everything," said McCoy's daughter, Erin McCoy. "She gave up her needs, her wants, for her parents. And in doing that, she still made time for others, like her family and work.

"She was very selfless the whole time, for years."

Erin believes that if it hadn't been for her mother's care, her grandparents wouldn't have lived as long as they did, and "wouldn't have been as well off as they were even though they were sick.

"She's my hero. I look up to her and everything she does."

Everyone stood by McCoy - from her husband, David; her brother, Johnny Whitmore of Carrollton; her boss, Bill Muir; and their church, Parkview Baptist.

"I appreciated the help from my family - even the smallest thing, from my husband taking Daddy special breakfast to my brother checking on Daddy when he could," she said.

To the very end, the family did everything they could to keep things normal for the 50-year Newport News residents. Holiday celebrations took place at the Whitmore's house. For their last Thanksgiving together, in 2004, their stove was broken, but family members cooked at their own homes and brought everything.

"We just kept everything the way it was," McCoy said. "Always."

McCoy is still working on cleaning out her parents' house, getting things situated and divided.

"I seem to have less time," she said. "You'd think, 'How did I do all that?' I have more time at home, which is good. Now I'm trying to throw myself into another routine. It'll come."

McCoy said caring for her parents just became a part of her life. She feels blessed to have had the opportunity.

"They took care of me. They watched my kids so I could go to work," she said. "And who wouldn't want to be there for Daddy? He's so much fun.

"That's why I don't feel deserving," of the award, "because I just did what needed to be done."

 
P.S.
I added the recipe.. ha The best recipe for rolls!
Peace & Blessing,
Cheryl

Famous Whitmore Rolls

 - Parkview Baptist Cook Book

- Mr. & Mrs. Walter Whitmore

Combine:

2 cups boiling water
½ cup sugar
3 Tbs. Crisco
1 Tbs. salt

Let cool until lukewarm Dissolve 2 yeast cakes or 2 pkg. dry yeast in ¼ cup lukewarm water. Add to first mixture, 2 beaten eggs.

  Add about 4 cups flour, stir until smooth, then add 3 or 4 more cups flour; dough will be sticky. Put in refrigerator and let rise.

Take out; knead well on floured board. Make out rolls as desired in size. Allow 3 hours for rolls to rise. Bake at 350 degrees. Makes about 45 rolls. Use as needed. Will keep several days.

Note: My mother is known for these rolls and she always makes them for family dinners! My parents also attended Parkview Baptist and counted the Whitmore’s among their friends.

Cheryl Mays Howard

    DOUBLE WOWZERONI!!!  Thanks for both of these, Cheryl! 

   This article about Marty surely strikes a chord with anyone who has ever cared for an aged and ailing parent.  I personally stand in awe of her!

   On a lighter note, I may even break down and bake some of these rolls myself - or better yet, talk someone else around here into doing so!  WILD GIGGLES!!!

 


  From Barbara Brewer ('69) of VA - 02/25/06 - "Hi":

I am spending the Saturday afternoon researching a recipe for a chicken tortilla casserole that appears to be chicken and dumplings and is white in appearance.  If the wife has a recipe, please send it to me.
 
I cooked 20 pounds of thighs and I am looking for healthy ways of preparing the chicken.  A client gave me spinach and I am fixing an enchilada dish to serve over the spinach.  I have to watch the fat and grains, due to my health.  I can substitute stuff and I would welcome recipes.
 
I hope you are enjoying yourselves.  I have gotten a lot of reading done due to the weather.  I look forward to seeing some recipes.
 
Barbara Brewer
va2001jeep@earthlink.net

   Okey-dokie!  I happen to know there are a number of great cooks out there, but the three that come instantly to my mind are all men.

   I personally do not mess with dead chickens.  I do however play a game of Chicken whenever the kitchen is concerned.  My mama would have called it, "Out-fumbling".  The object is to try to stall and look terribly busy long enough that someone else chickens out (fearful of going hungry) and actually cooks something to eat.

   I won today!  GIGGLES!!!

   Okay, all y'all who actually enjoy cooking: send Barbara your recipes.  Or if they're super fast and easy, send them to me, too - particularly if I can substitute canned pre-cooked chicken.

   Thanks, Barbara!  Have fun!


 

  From Joan Ownby Mathieson ('58) of VA - 02/25/06:

Being married to Jimmy Mathieson who was in the HHS class of '56, I just wanted to pass along to anyone who might be interested that they will be having their 50-year reunion this summer the weekend of July 21 - 23rd - beginning on Friday with an event at a local PUB, then a picnic at 2 o'clock on Saturday at the home of Bill and Doris Diggs, then a breakfast gathering of some sort on Sunday.  Plans are still in the making. 

Anyone who wants to know more can contact Mary Lou Groome Miller at maryloum@earthlink.net, as she is doing the messaging for the class.
 
We had planned to be in Europe pretty much the whole month of July, but are going to switch or dates around some so we can be in Hampton for this.  That Hampton class of '56 is a great group of people and we always have so much fun when we are with them.
 
I agree with someone who said that this NNHS '65 newsletter is addictive!  I feel like I know all of you now and look forward each day to seeing what's up with your gang.  Thanks for letting me into this community of love.

Joan 

   How sweet - thanks for being with us, Joan!

   I'm just delighted to see that you rearranged your trip to be with your friends!  Europe has been around for quite some time (or so they tell me) and will no doubt remain a bit longer, but friends have a way of suddenly no longer being among us, as witness these pages:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam-all.html

   I am all in favor of taking advantage of any and all opportunities to see them. 

   I salute you, Pretty Lady! 

 


  From Me ('65) of NC - 02/25/06:

   We renewed the website space this afternoon:

Your credit card was successfully billed.
Amount: $149.50

Your site has been successfully renewed. Your paid status expires on 2007-2-26 02:03:55.

   Thank you for your continued support - financial and otherwise! 

 


  From Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/30/06 - "Why I love the south":

Carol,
 
If you can stop laughing, you might include one of these each upcoming newsletter .... unless you think it undignified. 

D
 

 
 

   Okay, then.......

   Thanks, David! 

 
Redneck  Doghouse    
     


   Y'all take care of each other!  TYPHOONS FOREVER!

                          Love to all, Carol

==============================================

NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com

PERSONAL WEB SITE: http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat

==============================================


I’m Not Okay (I Promise)

(My Chemical Romance)
 

Well if you wanted honesty, that's all you had to say.
I never want to let you down or have you go, it's better off this way.
For all the dirty looks, the photographs your boyfriend took,
Remember when you broke your foot from jumping out the second floor?

I'm not okay
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
You wear me out

What will it take to show you that it's not the life it seems?
(I'm not okay)
I told you time and time again you sing the words but don't know what it means
(I'm not okay)
To be a joke and look, another line without a hook
I held you close as we both shook for the last time take a good hard look!

I'm not okay
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
You wear me out

Forget about the dirty looks
The photographs your boyfriend took
You said you read me like a book, but the pages all are torn and frayed

I'm okay
I'm okay!
I'm okay, now
(I'm okay, now)

But you really need to listen to me
Because I'm telling you the truth
I mean this, I'm okay!
(Trust Me)

I'm not okay
I'm not okay
Well, I'm not okay
I'm really not okay
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
(Okay)


"I’m Not Okay (I Promise)" midi courtesy of http://www.mididelight.com/download/1307 - 02/19/06

"I’m Not Okay (I Promise)" lyrics courtesy of http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/mychemicalromance/imnotokayipromise.html  - 02/19/06

Flashing Eye clip art courtesy of http://www.animate.netmegs.com/pixs/set_10.html - 01/04/05

Animated Goofy Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/12/04

Anchor clip art courtesy of Steve Silsby (FHS - '72) of NC - 12/14/05
Thanks, Steve!

Animated Tiny Birthday Cake clip art courtesy of Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of VA - 08/31/05
Thanks, Sarah Sugah!

Crab clip art courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/agent99bm/ - 10/02/05

Animated Yehaa Typhoon clip art courtesy of Al Farber ('64) of GA - 08/18/05
Thanks, Al!

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