LATEST NEWS

A letter from Jim Banks

I don't know if you are still updating information for our class, but I wanted to let you know that Helen and I have moved to Calabasas, CA. I am still with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, but I took a new position as the partner in charge of the southern California Mergers and Acquisitions practice. After commuting to LA from Fairfax for three months, I transferred officially on January 1, and after record rains and a few landslides, we are now benefitting from the mild CA climate. (It was nice to abandon our snow shovels back in northern VA.) Calabasas in a pleasant town north of Los Angeles just over the Santa Monica mountains from Malibu. We are 9 miles east from the beach in Malibu (a quick 15 minute drive through Malibu Canyon) and about 30 miles north of downtown LA. This is the northern end of LA county just before Ventura county. It is a little less developed than some of the areas closer to downtown LA: still plenty of open space and parkland and less traffic locally. We are both still learning our own way around southern California getting accustomed to our new home. We would be happy to hear from any former classmates passing through the area.

Our new contact information is:

Jim and Helen Banks
5431 Villawood Circle
Calabasas, CA 91302

Phone 818-878-9080

Note my email address has changed slightly: james.banks@us.pwc.com (it used to also include the letters "global" after "pwc")

Best wishes,

Jim and Helen

Hello! I was surfing through the JMHS Alumni webpages and noticed that you have the incorrect information for my sister, Beth Merchent. She is currently in the Peace Corps, in the country of Moldova, which is located between the Ukraine and Romania. She has almost completed her first year and will be there until August of 2004. If you need anything else, please let me know. Sincerely, Alice Merchent Dearing

The JMHS Class of 1977 has cranked up their own web site. They can be found at www.jmhs77.net.

A letter from Jan Randler

I graduated in May 2001 with a B.S. in Advertising-Creative and a Minor in Writing. I am still at the Children's Museum in Richmond (some of us never grow up) where I am the Gallery Staff Coordinator. I live in the Museum District (upper Fan to most) in Richmond. Ted Randler (class of '77) my brother is the Vice-President of Media at GRP (Greater Richmond Partnership) and has a home in Hanover with land, land, land and as of late herds many dogs and a horse. Whod'a thunk it?

-Jan Randler

Even though she couldn't make our 25th Reunion which was held in October of this year, Rosemary Pastore made up for it at home. This is a picture of her at a 25th reunion party for the Florida high school she attended before she transferred to JMHS. I'll bet her reuion wasn't half as much fun as ours!

Here's a picture of Leo when he coached us to first place in Midget League in 1970 for "Roger's Thrift Auto". The two little guys in the pic are Leo's sons. Teammate Bernard Robinson's father took this picture and gave us each a print and I kept it all these years. Quite a few '76 and '77 grads in the pic. If you notice in the pic there is no National Bank on the corner of Fall Hill and Washington.

A letter from Pepe Hiers

Hey, my sister Sharon sent me the picture from the College Heights Reunion "gang" Funny, I don't think gray hair is a bad thing nor a few extra "20 pounds or so!" My E mail address is: SGrass@KSHGS.com I'm working as a Senior Staff Accountant for Keiter Stephens- a large Accounting Firm located in the Innsbrook Corporate park in Richmond. My daughter Stephanie is a SENIOR at the Governor's School. We're frantically doing college applications now and she has an interview for the VCU/MCV Honors Program with "pre-acceptance" Medical College of Virginia. Cross your fingers everybody- hopefully there will be a "Doctor in the House!" Please keep my e-mails to a minimum . . . . they're kind of cranky about that here. Hope everyone is well. I live in the Bon Air area of Richmond and am in the phone book at 330-7043! Always ready for a cold beer . . . . . some things never change !! HA HA HA

We regret to announce the passing of JC "Blue" Andrews from leukemia. JC was living in Georgia and was married with two sons. He will be missed by all.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS CREW - REUNION CHRISTMAS 2000

(from left to right) Al Edwards ('74), David Coppola ('75), Hunk Anderson ('74), John Micks ('74), Jay Flippo ('75) and Barry Surles ('74). Many thanks to barry Surles for the photo!

July 15th, 2000

A letter from Mary Daley

The US Air Force will be transferring me in early August 2000 to Montgomery, Alabama. So much for nice, dry Colorado weather. Oh, well. I'll be stationed at Gunter Annex of Maxwell AFB there. As an AF Lieutenant Colonel now I'll be the Deputy Commander of the AF Logistics Management Agency (AFLMA) there at Gunter Annex. But ... AL is closer to Virginia than Colorado. I look forward to our JMHS Class of 1976 25th Reunion next year and will try to make it northward for the event.

Attention JMHS Class of 1980!

Stacy Olsen (Horne) and Anna Lee (Harrington) are putting together the reunion. It is scheduled for October 6 and 7, 2000. We have reserved the Riverside Center for a dinner/dance Oct 7 and plan on meeting at Homecoming game Friday night. E-mail either of us for more information....

A letter from DeDra Holstein (Dickinson) ...

Been doing like most, working and raising a family. Got married not long after high school, I have two children, Becky is 22, she has been married a year (no kids), Daniel just turned 20 (fishing is his life), I also have two older step sons. So with four kids, our life is pretty busy! I went to work for the Marine Corp Base at Quantico, been there for 21 yrs. (Got 12 yrs. to retire). Worked with some of our classmates fathers, uncles, etc. when I first started as a accounting tech. Currently I work for the Systems Command as a budget analyst. I enjoy gardening, cross stitching, and reading. Not much else to say, enjoying life to the fullest! ---DeDra

A letter from Cathy Kubel ...

...have heard nothing but good things about your website for a while now but no one would actually give me the address. Thanks for the info.

Since leaving the area I lived all over the country, the last 15 years in California: San Francisco and then Orange County (south of Los Angeles). Got married 7 years ago to a man named Mark, who is to blame for the weird last name. We were both in the theater industry; Mark still is, touring North America with various shows. He's currently on the Sound of Music with Richard Chamberlain. I worked for various theaters in California and then starting writing books. I haven't had anything published yet but have a good agent now in New York (I hope) and hope even harder to have something find a publisher this year. It is very difficult to start writing a new book every year without anyone ever buying one of your old ones. One reason I moved back home, apart from being sick of Southern California, was to be closer to the publishing centers in New York and also the Library of Congress. I am very glad to be home!

I am eager to read about everyone. It is strange to be back after 21 years (my god, is that possible?) A lot has changed, but an awful lot is still the same! --Cathy

A letter from Jim Banks ...

Thanks also for taking on the challenge of maintaining the site and tracking down MIAs like me. You have done a great job and I am sure all of our classmates would join me in thanking you for your efforts. (See - now you can't say it is a thankless job.) I enjoyed reading about my former classmates and actually learned for the first time in my life that we had a school song.

I looked at the MIA list, but I do not know the whereabouts of any other missing classmates. I became one of the missing mostly because I never worked or lived in Fredericksburg after college, and over a period of years just lost touch with people, even though I live 40 miles away.

If anyone is interested, since college I have been working in Washington for a couple of different accounting firms. Currently I am a partner in the mergers and acquisitions group at Pricewaterhouse Coopers; a job which entails a decent amount of travel. I have been married to my wife Helen (who comes from Vienna VA ) for 18 years - no kids (unless, of course, you count the two of us). Three dogs, a bird, and a bunch of fish round out the household. We live a typical suburban life in typically suburban Fairfax County. We are both happily involved in lots of activities we find interesting but have the good sense to assume the details would bore anyone else - so I won't report them here. We would welcome a visit with any former classmates passing through our area and hope that we will be able to make it to the next reunion. (For the 20th we were on the road.)

Thanks again for all your effort, Jim Banks

Check out the Jayem Alumni Page .

Heard from Paula Wells and she had this to say...

...after high school I attended Old Dominion University and partied in Virginia Beach. I moved to Amhurst (near Lynchburg) after my father became very ill and I have lived here ever since. I have 2 daughters, ages 14 and 10 and have another on the way (you have no idea what it's like to turn 41 and find out you are pregnant!). Tell everyone I said hello!!

A letter from Natalie "Paige" Kelly Lunceford

I can hardly believe it, but last month (Oct.9,1999) my oldest (Amanda) got married! Amanda (who will be 20 in June), married her co-worker; Jaime Morris and they are living in Fredericksburg. They were married at Ferry Farm Baptist, where Tracy and I were married in Oct. 1978. I am trying to get the hang of being a "mother-in-law" and they have promised I will not be a GRANDMA for at least two years. Hope all is well with you and your holidays are great!

A letter and a picture from Ben Valley (Class of '77):

Made it to and from the Burg in one pice last weekend. Beautiful flight to Richmond. The blueridge were orange with the leaves at peak. Somehow I don't recall the concrete bleachers at Maury being so uncomfortable. JM won the game in the last minute. I was surprised that the number of football players and band members were so low. As a matter of fact two football players removed their shoulder pads and helmets and played in the band at halftime! I guess the flight to the counties and the Fred'Burg Academy has put a dent in overall enrollment. It got pretty cold and damp by the end of the game.

An updated version of our class mailing list will be mailed to all classmates early next year. Please check the information we have on you and keep us updated on any changes. We are especially interested in having updated e-mail addresses.

A message from Kathi Easley about Tina Roberts ...

As you may or may not know, Tina Roberts is my stepsister. She is currently living in Richmond, Virginia with her three children, Heather, Rebecca, and Jonathan. Earlier this year she separated from her husband, Bobby Dunn. In August, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery. She is to begin chemotherapy soon. I'm not sure she would want her address published, but will pass along your request. Please inform your classmates that their prayers for her recovery would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kathi Easley (DeSouter) (Class of '77)

A message from Barry Surles, Class of '77...

great....i think this is a trend to come...being internet new myself....i thought with all the immense search abilities....it would be great to get a "HIT" on just entering JMHS, FBURG, VA....class reunions, other types of class info, as far back as possible....at least maybe into the early 60's....sports at the hs level was a big deal at least on or before then and at least until ....ah...maybe 1980 or thereabouts....i think our type of small town spirit has dissipated to some degree with all the automation of today...damn shame....growing up in fburg 60-70's as it was in this small area was really great.....i think your web site direction is a sounding board or sorts to relive and or reinvent the time of the day via our hs....thanks for the info

Several classmates have changed their e-mail addresses without telling us! If you have been wondering why you haven't been receiving class updates, it's probably because we don't have your current address. We need current info for the following classmates:

• Pepe Heirs
• Doug Skinner
• Lilly Koerner

Paul Cox passed away early this morning. He had been in a lot of pain from all of the chemo treatments, but now he rests in peace. He will be terribly missed by his loving family and friends.

Melissa (Cox) Stone

My new email address is JM4KELLUK@aol.com. We have relocated here for a few years. The company my husband works for opened a new manufacturing plant in Scotland, and we took the opportunity to live here for 4-5 years. The country is beautiful and we are having fun exploring it. Just say it was an interesting way to have a mid-life crisis, leaving the country. I'll put the JM website back in my favorite places so I can keep updated on what's happening.

We started back to school here the first week of August (no kidding). So we already have a month done. It's my 20th year teaching. Boy, it hurts to say that--sounds like an eternity, feels like I started yesterday. I have great kids, and I work in a great school. Classes are too large (but we're used to that).

We went out West this summer. We did 5 weeks in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and the Dakotas. WOW. It was so much fun. I've decided I love Colorado in the summer.

We went "white water rafting" down the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge in CO. Gosh, was that a rush. I went snow skiing for the first time at Arapahoe Basin, CO. (No kidding it was June 6. and it was not man-made snow. THE REAL STUFF) AND I LOVED IT!!!

All those years I belonged to the ski club at JM and I never went on a ski trip. Finally at 40 years old I tried it and I love it. I water ski (that didn't help at all) But, I also rollerblade--they said that helped me pick up the sking thing. I'm ready to go back. I wonder if I'll like it as well when its cold???????????????????? I've been in FL so long I don't deal with the cold well anymore. (I'm like a fungus now.

I thrive on heat and humidity. I'm miserable with out it. LOL) Ouch its 9:00PM. 5:00 AM comes really early. I better go.

Hi John. Thought I would reach out to Paul's classmates, especially those still living in or around Fredericksburg. Since last November my brother, Paul Cox, has been diagnosed and treated for cancer. He is currently taking chemo treatments every few weeks and seems to be holding his own, though nothing is certain at this point. It has really been tough for his wife, Christy, and 3 young girls (Sarah-11, Rebecca-9, Hannah-5), not to mention the whole Cox clan. We did all have a great vacation together last month at a big beach house in Sandbridge, Va.

Paul & family recently moved into a real nice house off of Jeff.Davis Blvd. near Morningside (they were in an apt. down the street). I'm not sure how he would feel about me contacting you, but I feel that all the prayers and kind words from his family and friends can only enrich his life. If you know of any classmates who care about Paul, please pass this information on, as well as his email address: pvcox@aol.com

Thanks John,

Sincerely,

Melissa Cox (Stone)

P.S. You and others have done a great job with the JM website!

Hello -- I saw your JM web site. It looks great. How have you been? I can't remember the last time I saw you or Leonarkis or Gary Luck. How have you been? What do you do in Charlottesville? I married Carla Young in 1986 and we lived in Charlottesville for six years, before we moved back to the Burg. We were unable to have kids, so 1 month ago, we adopted a 2 1/2 year old girl from Russia. Our life has completely changed, mostly for the better. I'm discovering Barney and Teletubbies and all sorts of things that I had never heard of. :) It's a great town. What do you do now? I'm working for a computer company Marconi that does work for the FBI in Quantico. We try to catch the bad guys who are using computers, not hackers, but kiddie porn, mafia, etc. The only person I see from my class if Roger McAughan, who works at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond. He says he works in contracts, but I tell him he's just a paper-pusher. :) Thanks for keeping the JM website. I cannot believe that I have my 25th in the year 2000. I still think I'm 18, even though I have more hair in my moustache than I have on the top of my head. Bye, Win Harrington

Hi, I meant to contact you when I received your letter. I am living in Laurel, MD booking entertainment nationwide----Fredb'g included--- Please make note that if anyone is in need of any type of entertainment whether it be a simple Petting Zoo, Santa, Barney or a band for a party, wedding etc. I book it all. I book a lot of the larger name acts as well. Anyway, I will look at the website after writing this letter. Hope you are well. Tina Fortunato

I am no longer in South Carolina. I was there briefly, only five months. I finished ten years in the United States Navy, the last six I was stationed at Dahlgren. Currently I am a full time student at VCU completing my degree in Mass Communications-Creative Advertising and residing in Richmond.

Mom & Dad were a little slow sending me the info you sent out last April. Actually, they set it aside and forgot to send it to me until last month. I'm currently an Architect and Director of Training for Computer Aided Design (MicroStation) software reseller. My spouse's name is Leslie, and she is an Elementary School Teacher. Nice job on the web site. I work out of our corporate offices in Charlottesville so I commute to Cv'ille every other week or so. Maybe we will run in to each other sometime. Best to you, Jud

The Moms show off the kids. Martha Scott, her oldest daughter Sara (age 11), Rosemary Pastore & her daughter Jessica (age 14).

We will be leaving here tomorrow, Sat. June 6th. and we will be in Fredericksburg for 2 days, Monday June 29 and Tuesday June 30. I would love to meet up with some classmates if possible. We will be staying at Wilderness Presidential Resort in Spotsylvania. The number there is (540) 972-7471. Love to see ya!!

• Friday July 31st, meet at the Bee Hive for a 70's party.
• Saturday August 1st, take a trolley ride around town during the day, dance to be held at the Eagle's that evening.
• Sunday, August 2nd, picnic that afternoon at Alum Springs Park.

I was surprised, too, at how many of the guys attended the reunion! I think it is great that you have made the effort to get this information together so that the next reunion can be even better.