Patricia Culley ('92) is looking for any information on her class ten-year reunion.  If anyone can help, please e-mail Patricia directly at eamckay25@hotmail.com.  [07/16/02]

The following attended the 45th annual reunion of DCS alumni on Sunday, June 30th:  Dave Tetor ('61), Barbara Dobbin Sweet ('61), Phil and Mary Covell Morehouse ('57), Frank ('47) and Joyce Fultz Bloom ('53), Bob MacFarlane ('56), Robert R. Plante, Jr.  ('82), Eleanor Parker ('58), Isadora Ide Ullrich ('40), Robert A. Brimmer ('51), Edward Olszyk ('48), Ruth Hepler Cooper ('35), Edwin Watling ('43), Clarence and Wanda Sebring ('39/'43), Virginia Razy ('40), Gus Tillman (teacher), Mary Faucett Lapham ('34), Doris McCarrick Klopf ('52), George Klopf ('44), Mary Golden (teacher), Dona Gaston Teske ('61) and guest, Genevieve Kapuschat Fox ('41), Dora Randall Howell ('41) and guest, Daisy Randall Hall ('44), Shirley Smith (teacher), Geraldine Kapuschat Jaeger ('39), Faith Stryker Slater ('39), Anna Brown Clark ('35), Neena Sturup Nagell ('43), Fanny and Lorand Hand, Howard Howell ('33), Dorothy Symonds ('37), Linda Howell Ward ('61), Frances Kaufman ('34) and guest, Mildred Ellison ('39), Kay Norris Koons ('41), John Ballard (teacher), Donald B. Tetor ('33), Doris Tetor Allen ('59), Joan Ovens Ambrose ('61), Doris Cogsdill ('34/teacher), Wilma Teed Perry ('60), Ethyl Teed Perry ('62), Richard Kaufman ('57), Dale Axtell ('54) and Al Kopec ('58).

We are sorry to report that four regulars at our annual alumni reunions were not with us this year.  Ruth Forman had a family reunion in Pennsylvania during the last weekend in June.  Although we have no specific details, Beverly Boorom and Trudy Hinson Benson did not attend for medical reasons.  We do know a bit more of the story concerning Chuck VerValin ('40) from Concord, California, however.  Chuck called, obviously still in good spirits, explaining that at eighty years old he probably should not have tried to jump over a creek.  It seems that Chuck, after conquering some serious heart problems earlier, was out playing golf and decided to try to jump a small creek that ran through the course.  He managed to tear some muscles in his foot and is now hobbling around.  Besides sending along a generous donation in lieu of attending this year, he chuckled at the prospect that someone else now could win the distinction of traveling the farthest to the reunion . . . "maybe that guy from Arizona!"

Besides Chuck VerValin, we also wish to thank the following inividuals for their very generous contributions to the DCS Alumni Association:   Marjorie Hall Spencer ('44), Ellen Simmons Arthurs ('60), Jacqueline Bowen Morrill ('57), Willard H. Boardman ('39)  and Isadora Ide Ullrich ('40).  [07/16/02]

An e-mail from Stanley Matwiejow tells us that he and wife Diana have now relocated to Redmond, Oregon.  His new mailing address and e-mail address can be found in our Membership Roster.   Stan wishes everyone " . . . all the best back there."  [06/17/02]

We received the following e-mail from Muriel Stobie ('41):

"Announcement of reunion received, but sorry to say I shall not be able to be there.  However, I hope you have good attendance and good weather for the event.  I enjoyed myself last year but was disappointed not to see more of my class!  I guess we are all getting older, so that is to be expected - hard for many to get to these affairs.

Have a good day . . . and thanks for the invitation.  Shall be thinking of you all and looking forward to seeing more pictures on the internet of  this year's attendees.  A great way to keep in touch . . .

Regards to everyone . . .
Muriel Stobie"                                                                                                          [06/14/02]

We just received an e-mail from Dirk Schmieg ('83), A.F.S. exchange student from Germany.  He would like to get in touch with Charlene Snyder, Brian Snyder, Craig Nelson and anyone else who would like to renew acquaintances.   If you can help, you can find Dirk's mailing address and e-mail address on our Membership Roster page.  [06/09/02]

Your editor has learned that our classmate Peggy Robertson Herrick ('58) recently turned her home in Altay into a bed and breakfast.  For those of you from out of town planning to attend our alumni reunion in June, or perhaps coming a class reunion sometime this summer, please consider staying at Peggy's Tobehanna Creek Bed and Breakfast.  Even if you're a local resident, a day or two spent at this quiet rural retreat could do wonders for the spirit.  Click here to take a look at Peggy's illustrated brochure, or go directly to the Tobehanna Creek Bed and Breakfast website.  For further information you can e-mail Peggy at mherrick@linkny.com.   [05/22/02]

We have word from old friend and fellow classmate Richard Haff ('58) of Tacoma, Washington, that he will be retiring from Boeing effective April 1, 2002.   We certainly wish Rich a long and happy retirement and hope that he will be able to attend a future alumni reunion on this side of the continent one day.  By the way, Rich has recently changed internet service providers and can now be reached at nhaffr@aol.com.   [02/28/02]

The third annual mini-reunion of members of the DCS Class of '61 was recently held in the Phoenix, Arizona.  Attending were Gene Morgan and Anne Cronin Caparros, who live in the area, and Dona Gaston Teske, who was visiting the warmer climes from her present home in Salem, Virginia.  Also in the picture below is Anne's husband Augustine.  (Photo courtesy of Gene Morgan.)  [02/28/02]

Around Christmas time we received an e-mail from former exchange student Tarja Pisila Maenpaa ('86) which included this picture of her family in Nurmo, Finland:                                                [02/28/02]

Lucy Clingerman has provided a couple of excerpts from the Summer 2001 edition of BJ's Journal that reflect her own feelings about the importance of maintaining friendships through a community such as our own Alumni Association:

"We live in an age when adult friendship can be elusive and illusionary.  Today, the constraints of work, children, spouses and elderly parents leave little time to nurture old friendships and cultivate new ones, let alone give you time for yourself.  And, if you're one of the 43 million Americans whom the government says moves annually, you're likely to leave behind one community of friends only to begin searching out another."

And regarding those friends:

"I know they'll accept me no matter what I do.  If I committed a crime and was sent up the river for the rest of my life, they'd all visit me regularly.  These guys hold almost as much weight for me as family, at times, more.  I've known them for nearly as long, and I chose them.  They represent the kind of support and stability a family does without the demands." [02/28/02]

The DCS Class of 1961 have created their very own web site.  Founding members included Steve Knapp and Gene Morgan, and there are many active participants.  The site is open to all members of the Class of 1961 and to others by invitation.  A password is required to access the site, so we cannot provide a direct link from here.  For further information e-mail Steve at sknapp7878787@home.com or Gene at EGCM58@aol.com.  (Your editor has visited the site frequently, and we are impressed with the level of participation by members of the class, as well as the variety of contributions. A link to this site has been kindly provided.  Thanks, guys!)  [02/28/02]

We wish to thank former DCS superintendent Donald Averill for his kind words of encouragement for our efforts in maintaining this web site and for his generous monetary contribution to the Alumni Association.  Mr. Averill served the district as superintendent during the 1980's, and four of his children are DCS graduates:  Diane ('81), Thomas ('82), Christopher ('83) and Martin ('89).

The photograph reproduced below is courtesy of Carol Vaughn Lawton, now of Charlotte, North Carolina, with a little help from her friends Robert Briggs, Jane Paddock Miller and Eleanor Bennett Parker, all from the class of 1958.  The original photo took a rather long and a circuitous route, but it finally did reach us.  (Since your editor is also a member of this class, we should be able to identify the individuals pictured upon request.)

We recently had the opportunity to catch this photo of John J. Thomas, Jr. ('90) and his family while they attended a birthday party next door to us.  Along with wife Jennifer are son J.T. and daughters Alyssa and Amanda.  [08/14/01]

Gerald and Betty (Meyers) Thompson ('44) of Arlington, Texas e-mailed us recently to advise of a change in their e-mail address.  They now can be reached at gbthom@home.com.  The Thompsons also were kind enough to send along the photo below of the Class of 1944.  (07/26/01)

Front row, left to right:  Irma Gardner, Daisy Randall, Benny Cadwell, Marjorie Hall, Bob Rapalee, Myra Yawger, Helen Castle.  Middle row:  Alpha Davis, Jean Boag, Joann Wilcox, Margaret Boag, Jean Denton, Ruth Allen, Betty Leech, Arlene Borden.  Back row:  Kathryn Turner, Greeba Hays, Elliott Baldwin, Elly Kent, Richard Sistek, Fred Hinkleman, Marilyn Inscho, Betty Meyers.

Your editor thoroughly enjoyed roaming around our village this past weekend (July 7, 2001) during the first, and we hope annual, Dundee Fest.  This event, which replaced the former Dundee Day, featured not only the traditional miles of sidewalk sales, but also a craft fair, a variety of entertainment centered at the Seneca Street park and a multiplicity of food vendors.  During our stroll through the village on what turned out to be a perfect summer's day, we had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with one Sheri Mochamer, who was participating in the craft fair.

Sheri is a New Jersey native and she did not attend Dundee Central School.  However, she is an alumna of the DCS teaching staff.  Sheri taught second grade during the 1993-94 academic year, kindergarten during 1994-95 and sixth grade from 1995 through 1999.  She is also the mother of three recent DCS graduates who have left their mark on the academic history of our alma mater:  Kate ('97), Sara ('99) and Jeremiah ('01).  Since leaving the DCS teaching staff, Sheri has become involved with Cornell Cooperative Extension on a part-time basis.  But Sheri, who says she her greatest passion is to teach, continues to do so in still another way.

Sheri has formed a company called Smiling Butterfly Publications to promote her series of original educational books, audio tapes and CD's.  Her Of Course I Work, I Am a Full-Time Mom is described  as a " . . .lyrical essay giving support and encouragement to full-time moms from someone who has been there."  Decimals With Desi - Addition and Subtraction is a package designed to aid elementary-level students master decimals.  In it Sheri employs the same techniques she developed and used successfully during her teaching career.  For more information you can contact Sheri at 41 Hollister Street, Dundee, NY  14837, or e-mail her at smbfly@linkny.com.  She has a very nice brochure describing her products.
 

We recently received some kind words of encouragement and a donation to help defray Alumni Association expenses from Claudia Symonds Sullivan ('46).  Her support is greatly appreciated.  Sadly, however, Claudia also reported the passing of her twin sister Clarissa Symonds Hinkelman ('46) on 01/27/99.  [07/04/01]

We should like to express our sincere appreciation to Willard Boardman ('39) for his generous donation to the Alumni Association, even though he will be unable to attend this year's reunion.  Thank you for your continuing support.  [07/04/01]

The Class of 1941 will be having their sixty-year reunion this year on June 24th, along with the 44th annual alumni reunion at DCS.  Ruth Gilbert Forman from that graduating class has provided a copy of her class picture which is reproduced here.  [05/22/01]

Word from Robert (Bob) Brimmer ('51) is that he cannot attend this year's alumni reunion, but he hopes to come in 2002.  Bob resides in Zephyrhills, Florida, during most of the year, but from June through October he returns to Auburn, New York.  While he cannot attend this year's festivities, Bob has sent a generous contribution to the Alumni Association.  On behalf of the Association we thank Bob for his support.  [05/22/01]

             Isadora Ide Ullrich recently returned her reservation form for Reunion 2001 and included an additional contribution in support of the Alumni Association activities.  Jacqueline Bowen Morrill ('57), who resides in Windsor, Maine, will not be able to attend this year's reunion, but she also sent along a generous donation to help defray Association expenses.  Jacqueline has made similar contributions in past years, although she has not been able to attend our reunions in recent years.  We sincerely thank both these alumni for their continued support. [05/17/01]

           We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Samuel Sedam for his generous monetary contribution in support of the DCS Alumni Association, as well as for his personal  hard-cover copy of the 1943 Highlander, the very first DCS yearbook published.  He has also donated to our archives two original photographs which are reproduced near the bottom of this page.  [03/31/01]

           On January 12, 2001, a retirement dinner for Dave Tetor ('61) was held in Wappingers Falls, New York.  Dave retired at the end of 2000, after working more than thirty years for Cornell Cooperative Extension, twenty-eight of those years in Dutchess County.  Over two hundred people from all over New York state and the Northeast attended the dinner, including Barbara Dobbin Sweet ('61) and Dona Gaston Teske ('61).  Barbara resides in Hyde Park, New York, about ten miles from Dave's home, and she offered the following thoughts to those attending the tribute:

"Good evening everyone!

One person with us tonight deserves a big round of applause.  That person is Dave's wife Louise, who has put up with Dave's endless string of meetings and business trips.  Louise, thank you for allowing Dave to assist so many residents and organizations here in Dutchess County.

Tonight I am also representing three other people:  Dona Teske, who has come to be with us tonight from Savona, New York, and two other folks who are here in spirit:  Connie Welch from Kent, New York and Eugene Morgan from Peoria, Arizona, out near Phoenix.  All four of us have known Dave for almost fifty years.  We all attended kindergarten through the twelfth grade in Dundee, New York, in the Finger Lakes area.  Recently Dave became president of the Dundee Alumni Association.

I received five pages of thoughts from Gene a few days ago via e-mail.  Gene refers to Dave as the "Protector of the Land."  This young man learned the importance of the land and the role it played in the success of his family's farm:

           - Good land meant good crops.
           - Good land plus crop rotation and soil conservation meant even better crops.
           - Even better crops meant better nourishment for the farm herd.
           - Better nourishment for the cows meant better milk production.
           - Better milk production meant more milk and more income for the family enterprise.

Dave absorbed it all.  It was a way of life, the only life he knew. He knew that the land was the source of success in a dairy herd.  The success of the land depended on special people with the training and knowledge to recognize and correct a crop failure due to disease, insects and poor conservation.  That led Dave to become a Cornell Cooperative Extension agent.

Dave has been quite a team leader here in Dutchess County.  I wonder where he learned to be such a great team player, because throughout his school years Dave was never allowed to play sports or to be in any after-school activities.  His place was on the farm, and he had an important role to play in the success of the farm.  He and Gene did play baseball in the apple orchard.  They used branches as bats and apples for the ball.

Dave, you started protecting land during childhood, and I know that will live on long after retirement.  We have all been fortunate to have Dave with us in Dutchess County for the past twenty-eight years, and we are also fortunate to have him with us even though he will be retired.  Thank you, Dave, and welcome to retirement from all of us at Dundee Central School.

Barbara Sweet
Hyde Park, New York"
[01/13/01]

           Your editor had a very pleasant surprise visit and afternoon of reminiscing with fellow classmate and long-time friend David Coleman and wife Maude.  The couple were back in the area from their home in Bryan, Texas, visiting old friends and daughter Cheryl and family, who now reside in Canandaigua. The photo below shows Dave reviewing the DCS alumni web site.  In the second picture Dave is joined by his wife, the former Maude Hand of Mexico, New York.  Maude did not attend DCS, but the couple first met in the 1960's at Fred's Restaurant (now Norva's Classic Cafe) at the four corners in Dundee.   [12/24/00]

             The summer of 2000 brought two very pleasant visits to your editor's residence here on "Radio Hill" at the top of Shannon Corners Road. The first, in early August, included DCSAA vice president Dona Gaston Teske ('61) and Eugene C. Morgan ('61).  Gene was on an extended visit to the East from his home in suburban Phoenix.  For more than three hours we reminisced about our days at DCS and perused Gene's very extensive collection of memorabilia from the era of his youth in Dundee, the area and at DCS.  (See examples on our Recollections page.)  [09/17/00]

             In September we had a visit from our friends and fellow amateur radio operators Barbara Dobbin Sweet ('61) and husband Herb (WA2KCL and K2GBH respectively), along with Dona Gaston Teske ('61).  Barb and Herb, who reside in Hyde Park, New York, were visiting Barb's relatives in the Dundee area.  In June of this year the couple made an extended visit to Bideford, England as part of a group of sixteen from Marist College in Poughkeepsie. This fall eighteen citizens of Bideford will be spending ten days in the Hudson Valley, and two of them will be staying with Herb and Barbara.  Their story continues below.

             "Our ten days were spent with Jill and Joe.  We sure had a great time, and from them we learned quite a bit about the area.  Both Jill and Joe are retired, as we are, but they were in professions very different from ours.

            Each day we visited a different village in the area.  We went to the shops, toured a museum, witnessed a reenactment from their civil war period and saw a lot of  lovely countryside.  Many of the roads there were about the size of our driveways!  And, on the sides of the shoulderless roads there are high hedges one can not see over.  Not an easy driving situation!  The hedges are a common way for farmers to contain their livestock.  The hedges along the road reminded me of driving through Iowa during the height of the corn season.  But Bideford is not flat; it is extremely hilly - going from ocean coast to some fairly high hills.

             During our travels, if we came upon a church, we would stop and go in.  Even in the middle of the day the church was open and anyone could go in.  In some areas only a few families were members.

             Bideford has a "rail trail" recycled into a bike and hiking trail similar to those here in the States.  Unfortunately the weather was too cold and damp to take a bicycle ride, at least for us.

                On several days we drove to other nearby towns and there took long walks.  On one such occasion we walked along the coast where we climbed up and over huge piles of rocks that had been washed up from the Atlantic.  Another day we went to a village where many of the residents were dressed up in Victorian costumes.  One day we climbed a huge cliff and found a small hotel with a panoramic view to the west where we watched the sun set.

              We ate at a variety of inns and restaurants, and each had menus very different from what we see here.  The English eat many more vegetables than we do.  One dish I liked was baked green peppers.  The peppers were deseeded and cut into sections, then sprinkled with salt, pepper and garlic powder and put under the broiler for a few minutes.  It is different but easy enough to prepare.

               One evening we went to the home of one of our host's friends who is a professional lithographer.  There were about eight of us there, and we had a most enjoyable visit.  Jill and Joe were very good hosts.  We had nice meals and comfortable beds and felt quite at home.  We will enjoy hosting Brian and Cindy for ten days in October, when their group arrives for the exchange visit."  [09/17/00]
 

                 Your editor is pleased to report that our granddaughter Crystal Miranda Kopec, age five, became the third generation of Kopecs to attend Dundee Central School, when she entered Mrs. Keegan's kindergarten class on September 5, 2000.  As of this writing she seems to be adjusting well to her new experience!  [09/17/00]

                 A recent note from Geraldine Jaeger of Hot Springs, Arkansas brings good news.  Geraldine had planned to attend the 2000 reunion, but she was forced to cancel while she awaited the results of certain medical tests.  The tests proved negative, and now Geraldine is planning to visit the Dundee area in September and see her two new great-granddaughters born in June.

                                                          Mildred Shepherd ('23)
                                               Helen Mills ('31)
                                               Don Tetor ('33)
                                               Carl Hallenbeck ('35)
                                               Anna M. Clark ('35)
                                               Norma Walton ('38)
                                               Clarence Sebring ('39)
                                               Trudie Hinson Benson ('40)
                                               Natilee M. Denton ('40)
                                               Virginia Razy ('40)
                                               Isadora Ide Ullrich ('40)
                                               Ruth Forman ('41)
                                               Dora Howell ('41)
                                               Kay Koons ('41)
                                               Robert Koons ('42)
                                               Wanda Sebring ('43)
                                               Neena K. Sturup Nagell ('43)
                                               Edwin Watling ('43)
                                               Daisy Hall ('44)
                                               Beverly Boorom ('45)
                                               Dorothy Axtell Parmelee ('45)
                                               Lloyd Howell ('47)
                                               Edward  A. Olszyk ('48)
                                               Wanda Giles Weisenreder ('51)
                                               Leona Hess Smith ('55)
                                               Joanne Giles Clancey ('55)
                                               Newell Clancey ('55)
                                               Mary Covell Morehouse ('57)
                                               Phil Morehouse ('57)
                                               Irene Howell Brown ('58)
                                               Albert J. Kopec ('58)
                                               Doris Tetor Allen ('59)
                                               Darlene Scofield Schearns ('59)
                                               Dona Gaston Teske ('61)
                                               Lucy Woodard Clingerman ('85)

Charles H. VerValin, who intended to join us this year all the way from California, could not attend for medical reasons.  The luncheon and brief business meeting were followed by an extended tour of the school conducted by Clarence Sebring.   Photos of the 2000 reunion will be posted soon.

           Doris Tetor Allen ('59), who will be attending the 2000 reunion, sends us a photo of her family, which includes (from top left) son Jeffrey, Doris, and daughter Melissa and (from lower left) husband Dave, grandson Corey and son-in-law Ray.

            The following e-mail from Gene Morgan ('61), directed to classmates and friends of the DCS Class of 1961, was received on 5/22/00 and is edited for insertion here:

           Earlier this month Dona Gaston Teske, current president of the DCS Alumni Association, visited Arizona and met with fellow Class of 1961 DCS graduates Gene Morgan of Peoria, Arizona, and Anne Cronin Caparros of Phoenix.  The three discussed old times at DCS and viewed the photo album of the last reunion of the Class of 1961, which was held in 1994.  The visit was especially rewarding for Dona, who was principally responsible for organizing that last reunion.  Gene and Anne were unable to attend then, so this is the first meeting for the three in thirty-nine years.

           Dona wishes to remind all '61 classmates that plans for the 40-year class reunion are now well under way.  Anyone with ideas or suggestions for an approprite location for the event are encouraged to e-mail Dona, Gene, Greg Wright or Barbara Sweet. [Editor's note:  Current e-mail addresses can be found under the Membership Roster page of this web site.]

           Also, while in Arizona Dona and Gene had the 16 mm movies of football games from the 1958 and 1959 seasons at DCS put on video tape.  Videos of the '58, '59 and '60 football seasons are now all available and may be purchased from Gene Morgan or through Dona.

           We are sorry to learn that Geraldine Jaeger ('39) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, who was planning to attend this year's reunion, will not be able to come because of a medical problem.  We wish her the best and hope that she will be able to join us in 2001.

             Lucy Dennis ('31) of Arlington, Texas, says she cannot make the reunion this year but hopes to attend in 2001 on the 70th anniversary of her graduation with the Class of 1931.

             Trudie Benson ('40) tells us in a short note that she will definitely be attending the 2000 reunion.  The fractured femur that kept her from the 1999 DCS alumni reunion is nearly healed " . . . and I am able to do lots of things I never thought possible again!"  She hopes to see lots of old friends in June.

             Stuart Bishop of Geneva sends word that he is unable to attend the 2000 reunion because he is recovering from recent open heart surgery.  He reports that progress is steady, although his mobility is still limited.  We certainly wish Stuart well and hope to see him at next year's reunion.

            Sam Sedam of Himrod has made a generous monetary contribution in support of DCS Alumni Association activities and has provided two interesting photographs as well.  The first one shown below was taken in 1993 at the 50th reunion of his Class of 1943.
 

During the summer of 2000 Robert Hunt ('58) joined fellow members of Rotary International cycling across the United States.  Click here for the complete story.

              GUEST BOOK:  Be sure to check our Guest Book for comments of visitors to this site.  Add your own comments simply by clicking on "Sign Our Guestbook" at the bottom of our home page.

           KUDOS!   The new Dundee Central School web site is now on line!  Check it out at www.dundeecs.k12.ny.us.  Although the site still appears to be under construction, it is well designed and comprehensive.  We urge Association members to visit the DCS web site often to follow its development, and we appreciate the link they included to our own site.

          MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS:   Please remember that we are always looking for member contributions to fill these pages with recollections, anecdotes, personal histories, photographs and/or anything else that would be of interest to fellow alumni.  These can be e-mailed to your editor at alkb2ng@linkny.com or sent to the DCS Alumni Association, c/o Albert J. Kopec, 1260 Shannon Corners Road, Dundee, NY 14837.  Let's hear from you!